North Carolina coach Hubert Davis provides injury update on Puff Johnson

North Carolina sophomore guard Puff Johnson has battled multiple injuries throughout 2021, but he’s continuing to work his way back onto the floor for the Tar Heels as they prepare for the upcoming season. UNC head coach Hubert Davis met with the media Wednesday and provided an update on where Johnson stands.

“Puff has had a couple of injuries the last month-and-a-half,” said Davis, who’s entering his first season at the helm of North Carolina’s prestigious program. “Right now, he’s dealing with a hip strain, and with one of those injuries – much like the hamstring – you can’t rush back, you can’t fight through. You need rest, you need time and you need rehab, and that’s where Puff is right now.”

Johnson, a 6-foot-8, 205-pounder who prepped at Hillcrest Prep in Phoenix, Arizona, played in 14 games for the Tar Heels last season before spraining a toe on his right foot in practice that caused him to miss the final 15 games of the campaign. He played 58 total minutes in 2021-22 – averaging 4.1 per game – while scoring 1.1 points and 0.5 rebounds.

A former four-star prospect, Johnson has not played in a game since Jan. 20.

Johnson has been a great teammate while sidelined

Although he hasn’t been able to practice with the team while nursing his injury, coach Hubert Davis says that Puff Johnson has been a vital part of North Carolina’s team while it prepares for the upcoming season.

“One of the things I did say to Puff last week was I was so proud of him because it’s very hard to – when things aren’t going your way, in terms of injuries – to not be positive and not celebrate the success of others, and the person that does it the best is Puff,” Davis said. “He’s been great at practice. His energy, his enthusiasm has really helped the team during practice. I’ve been really proud of him – and I’m looking forward to when he’s 100%.”

Davis said he didn’t know whether or not Johnson would be available for the Tar Heels’ Nov. 9 opener vs. Loyola (Maryland). The coach said he would like to have him back, but “the thing that’s on my mind is I want him to be 100% healthy.”

Following its season opener, UNC will host Brown on Nov. 12 and then play at College of Charleston on Nov. 16 before stepping into the Hall of Fame Tipoff tournament in Uncasville, Connecticut.