North Carolina quarterback Max Johnson will miss the rest of the season with a broken right leg, which he suffered during the team’s 19-17 season opener against Minnesota on Thursday.

The school said Friday that Johnson underwent surgery on his leg in Minneapolis and will return to Chapel Hill in a few days. His parents, Brad and Nikki, will remain with him in Minnesota.

Johnson, who joined the Tar Heels from Texas A&M last offseason, won the starting job after a close battle with Conner Harrell. In the early going against the Golden Gophers, Johnson struggled to find consistency — but so did his offensive line, which features four new starters.

Late in the third quarter, Johnson went back to pass, but Justin Walley came out of the secondary on a blitz and tackled him. Johnson landed awkwardly on his right knee and immediately grabbed it.

His parents watched in amazement from the stands. Brad Johnson, a former NFL quarterback, began his professional career with the Vikings.

Johnson was stretchered off the field and replaced by Harrell.

“I feel terrible that Max got injured, for him and for us. Conner (has to) come in,” coach Mack Brown said after the game.

Johnson began his career at LSU in 2020 before transferring to Texas A&M in 2022, hoping for a fresh start with the Tar Heels after an up-and-down career at both programs. His experience — 22 starts and 30 total appearances — made him a key player for North Carolina to come through the portal to replace first-round draft pick Drake Maye.

Johnson completed 12 of 19 passes for 71 yards, with an interception and a rushing touchdown on Thursday night.

Harrell, a redshirt sophomore who served as Maye’s backup last season and started the Tar Heels’ bowl game, replaced him and was 2-of-4 for 34 yards. He led the Tar Heels on a late drive that eventually produced the winning field goal with 1:44 remaining.

The backup quarterback now is Jacolby Criswell, who recently transferred to the Tar Heels from Arkansas after starting his career at North Carolina.