In a heartbreaking turn of events, North Carolina Tar Heels quarterback Max Johnson suffered a broken right leg during the team's season opener against the Minnesota Golden Gophers on Thursday night. The injury occurred in the third quarter when Johnson was sacked, causing him to land awkwardly and immediately clutch at his right leg. He was carted off the field and taken for medical treatment.

Johnson, who recently transferred to the UNC program from Texas A&M, was making his first start for the Tar Heels. The team was hopeful that his arrival would bring a new dynamic to their offense. However, the unfortunate injury has dashed those hopes for the season.

Following the incident, Johnson underwent surgery in Minneapolis, which was reported to have been successful. He is now set to return to Chapel Hill in the coming days to begin his recovery process. While he will be sidelined for the remainder of the season, there are positive expectations for his full recovery, as noted by Bruce Feldman of The Athletic.

With Johnson out for the rest of the season, the Tar Heels will turn to redshirt sophomore Conner Harrell to take over the starting quarterback duties. Harrell, who appeared in five games last season, has shown promise in his limited playing time, completing 22 of 33 pass attempts for 278 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions.

Harrell will have his first opportunity to showcase his skills as the starting quarterback in Week 2 when North Carolina hosts Charlotte on Saturday, September 7. It will be a crucial test for Harrell as he steps into the role of leading the team's offense.

The loss of Johnson is undoubtedly a blow for the Tar Heels, who had high hopes for the season with his arrival. However, with Harrell now stepping up, the team will be looking to rally together and continue their pursuit of success this season.

While the road to recovery may be long for Max Johnson, the support of his teammates, coaches, and fans will undoubtedly provide him with the motivation to come back stronger than ever.