Max Johnson reveals he thought he would lose his leg after serious injury in 2024

Max Johnson‘s 2024 season with North Carolina was over as soon as it began. The sixth-year college quarterback suffered a right broken leg in the season opener against Minnesota and was forced to miss the rest of the season.

However, the injury might have been worse that previously thought. Johnson revealed on Saturday that he needed five surgeries after his leg injury last season — along with a terrifying revelation.

“There was a point in time where I thought I was going to lose my leg,” he said, via MassLiveNews’ Chris Mason.

Johnson’s injury occurred during the third quarter of the season opener. He finished that game 12 of 19 passing for 71 yards. He rushed for a touchdown and threw an interception before leaving the game.

North Carolina turned toward senior Jacolby Criswell to become the team’s main quarterback. He threw for 2,459 yards and 15 touchdowns in place of Johnson. Sophomore Conner Harrell saw some action under center as well, passing for 282 yards and a pair of touchdowns in six appearances.

However, the expectation was that Johnson would be healthy if he returned for a sixth season. The idea that his broken leg wasn’t healed after a single surgery was not

Head coach Bill Belichick has updated Johnson’s status throughout the offseason. He provided the most recent one after fall camp practice on Saturday.

“Max has done a great job. Worked really hard. He’s made a tremendous amount of progress throughout the process,” Belichick told reporters. “But really it’s that last, you know, call it 20% between not being able to play and really being ready to play, ready to start training camp, which is where he is now.

“So he’s going to start out up there, but he didn’t take any meaningful snaps in the spring. He worked out on his own. He threw some routes, but he wasn’t involved in any team drills. So it’s a big jump for him in terms of what he’s able to do, although I think the progression is very gradual. It’s 1% at a time, but at some point, he’s crossed that threshold. He’ll be ready to participate out there with all the other players.”

Whether Johnson will be able to suit up in time for North Carolina’s season opener remains to be seen. However, it appears that the sixth-year QB is prepared to suit up at some point this fall. He’ll hope it will be in time for the Sept. 1 opener against TCU at home.