Jimbo Fisher Provides Update On Texas A&M Aggies QB Max Johnson

Max Johnson has been banged and bruised during his time behind Texas A&M's offensive line in 2023.

COLLEGE STATION -- Even after another beatdown behind the line of scrimmage, Texas A&M quarterback Max Johnson is still standing. He's expected to be full-go Saturday when the Aggies play host to Mississippi State at 6:30 p.m. 

"Max finished the game after taking a couple of shots, but we'll wait and see how it goes," said A&M coach Jimbo Fisher Monday during his weekly press conference. "He should be good. I'm planning on him playing, hopefully. It goes day-by-day."

Johnson, who took over for the injured starter Conner Weigman in Week 4's win over Auburn, apparently suffered a rib injury during A&M’s 38-35 road loss to No. 10 Ole Miss last Saturday. The redshirt sophomore played through the pain, finishing 31 of 42 passing for 305 yards and one touchdown against an interception.

Johnson also scored on a 1-yard touchdown run with 4:35 remaining to give the Aggies (5-4, 3-3 SEC) a 35-31 lead. The Rebels responded behind the legs of Quinshon Judkins, who notched his third rushing touchdown of the day with a 1-yard run with 1:40 remaining. 

Johnson threw three first downs to get the Aggies within field goal range, but Randy Bond's 47-yard field goal was tipped at the line, thus leading to the ball landing short of the posts. 

Texas A&M Aggies running back Amari Daniels (No. 4) runs past two Ole Miss defenders at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium.  / Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports

"The ball was tipped up the middle," said Fisher of the Aggies' final play. "It wasn't blocked off the edge. [We] kicked it one inch too low." 

Johnson, who's started five games this season, has a 2-3 record and produced mixed results. The LSU transfer has completed 118 of 190 pass attempts for 1,452 yards and nine touchdowns with five interceptions. He also rushed for two scores on 51 carries. 

Quarterback injuries have been a common theme in the Fisher era, especially since the departure of longtime starter Kellen Mond. At least two quarterbacks have started every season since 2021 due to season-ending injuries. Last season, Hayne King, Johnson and Weigman all started at least three games due to injury. 

"Some of it is freak accidents, as much as anything," said Fisher on the recent string of injuries to his passer. "It's unfortunate luck. I can say I've never had that happen before in my life, but it's bitten us here, so hopefully we can get through it."

For now, Johnson is expected to take first-team reps on Saturday in what could be a bowl-clinching matchup for the Aggies against the Bulldogs (4-5, 1-5 SEC). If Johnson can't go, however, Fisher confirmed that Fresno State transfer Jaylen Henderson would replace Johnson as the team's starter. 

Henderson was elevated to the primary backup following Weigman's season-ending foot injury and has taken reps in practice with the second-team offense. While at Fresno State, he completed five passes for 49 yards and rushed for 66 yards on 16 carries. 

Four-star freshman Marcel Reed would be elevated to the QB No. 2 job behind Henderson. One of the top-dual threat options at Nashville (Tenn.) Montgomery Bell Academy, Reed has yet to take a live snap since his arrival at A&M. 

Last season as a senior, Reed completed 58.8 percent of his throws for 2,198 yards and 27 touchdowns with six interceptions. He also rushed for 944 yards and 15 touchdowns on 146 carries.

Fisher also confirmed that running back Le'Veon Moss will not require surgery after leaving Saturday's game with a lower-body injury. Moss, who missed Week 9's 30-17 win over South Carolina, rushed for a 13-yard touchdown during the second quarter. 

His status for Saturday's game is questionable. 

"He's walking around," said Fisher of Moss. "It's not a tear, no surgery. It looks like some of the swelling has really come out. We'll go day-to-day on that." 

Fisher confirmed that cornerback Tony Grimes would likely miss the remainder of the season with a lingering lower-body injury. Offensive tackle Reuben Fatheree, who's missed a majority of the season, is working his way back to full strength, per the sixth-year coach. 

Fisher did not confirm if Fatheree would be active again this season.