Max Johnson injury update: Mack Brown shares the latest on UNC QB, his involvement with team

Max Johnson is back in Chapel Hill after the season-ending injury that he suffered in the opener in Minneapolis. Now comes the adjustment for him from starting quarterback for a half to being on the sidelines for the remainder of the year.

Mack Brown provided another update on Johnson during his postgame press conference following the 45-10 win for UNC over NC Central on Saturday. Brown said that he returned to campus to end the week with him having met with him the day afterward.

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“He got back maybe Thursday, about six o’clock at night,” said Brown. “I saw him the next morning. I think I saw him Friday morning in the training room.”

“He looks good,” Brown said. “He’s at a good spot and he’s doing well.”

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With Johnson back, he was able to be in attendance for the 35-point win for North Carolina. However, the planning for getting him around is a bit complicated with how he’s currently having to get around after the procedures on his broken leg.

“He sat on the fifth floor tonight so he did see the game,” said Brown.

“He’s still having some trouble getting around,” Brown noted. “So, when we get him, we can figure out is it golf cart, is it scooter? With his problems here, it’s hard to sit.”

Johnson played for a little over a half in the 19-17 win for the Tar Heels over Minnesota. In his few snaps this season, he went 12-19 (63.2%) for 71 yards and an interception. He did rush for a score, though. That was all before he was carted off after breaking the leg in the third quarter.

Since then, North Carolina has turned to Conner Harrell. Jacolby Criswell has also seen time after this weekend. In the last two games, mostly against Charlotte, Harrell is 18-31 for 241 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception while also rushing for a score off of 45 yards. As for Criswell, he saw more action against NC Central where he went 14-23 (60.9%) for 161 yards and a touchdown. That two-quarterback system is something that the Tar Heels may continue to explore as the season continues.

Still, when it comes to Johnson, North Carolina is glad to have him home and with them. That’ll proceed with him getting back around the team this upcoming week.

“We got him back safe and he’s excited about starting to come to meetings and be on the sideline,” said Brown.