Texas A&M Aggies QB Max Johnson Out, Jaylen Henderson to Start vs. Mississippi State Bulldogs

Max Johnson will not play Saturday against Mississippi State due to a rib injury.

COLLEGE STATION -- Texas A&M starting quarterback Max Johnson is out for Saturday evening's game against Mississippi State, a source confirms with AllAggies.com.

Former Fresno State quarterback Jaylen Henderson will start against the Bulldogs. The Aggies (5-4, 3-3 SEC) need one more win to become bowl eligible for the first time since 2021.

ESPN's Pete Thamel was first to report the news.

Johnson, who took over for the injured starter Conner Weigman in Week 4's win over Auburn, reportedly suffered a rib injury during A&M’s 38-35 road loss to No. 9 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.

A&M nearly secured the comeback behind Johnson's leg, who scored a 1-yard touchdown with 4:03 remaining in Oxford. After a Quinshon Judkins touchdown run, Johnson completed three passes for first downs to set up a 47-yard field goal from Randy Bond.

Bond's kick was tipped at the line of scrimmage, thus changing the ball's trajectory. The Aggies suffered their ninth consecutive road loss, dating back to mid-October of the 2021 season.

A transfer from LSU, Johnson has started the past five games for A&M, posting a 2-3 record. Results have been mixed to say the least. In six appearances, Johnson 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.

Texas A&M quarterback Max Johnson (14) is yelled to by Texas A&M head coach Jimbo Fisher during a football game between Tennessee and Texas A&M at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn., on Saturday :: Brianna Paciorka/News Sentinel-USA TODAY NETWORK

Quarterback injuries have been a common theme in the Jimbo 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," Fisher said Monday of the recent string of injuries to his quarterbacks. "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."

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 is expected to 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.

Kickoff is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. at Kyle Field.