Fisher addresses injuries, indicates Johnson & Moss are 'day-to-day'

Reports that Texas A&M quarterback Max Johnson is sidelined by injury apparently are premature.

Coach Jimbo Fisher on Monday said Johnson’s status for the football game on Saturday against Mississippi State is “day-to-day.”

Johnson took some hard hits last Saturday during a 38-35 loss to Ole Miss. There was rumor he’d sustained rib injuries that could sideline him indefinitely.

Fisher indicated that isn’t the case.

“We’ll wait and see how it goes,” Fisher said. “I’m planning on him playing, hopefully. We’ll see as it goes day-by-day.”

Running back Le’Veon Moss also sustained an unspecified leg injury and had to leave the game.

Fisher said Moss’ status is “day-to-day.”

“Le’Veon got tackled. He’s walking around,” Fisher said. “There’s not a tear. No surgery. It looks like some of the swelling has really come out. Hopefully, we’ll go day-to-day on that.”

Though Moss leads A&M in rushing with 439 yards his absence wouldn’t be too alarming. Amari Daniels and Rueben Owens are capable backups with big-play abilities.

The Aggies have minimal experience behind Johnson, who ascended to the staring quarterback role when Conner Weigman suffered a season-ending injury in September.

Fisher indicated third-string quarterback Jaylen Henderson will start if Johnson is unavailable. A  sophomore transfer from Fresno State, Henderson has thrown just eight career collegiate passes.

His most recent pass was a 5-yard completion for Fresno State in a 40-9 win over San Jose State on Nov. 25, 2021.

Earlier this season, he rushed for a 7-yard gain in A&M’s 47-3 victory over Louisiana-Monroe.

The Aggies also have true freshman quarterback Marcel Reed, a four-star recruit who has not yet played this season.

Fisher dismissed any questions that a position player, perhaps receiver Ainias Smith, could take snaps in a “wildcat” formation.

Johnson’s injury could be the latest of several to sideline A&M quarterbacks over the last three seasons.

Haynes King suffered a season-ending injury in the second game of the 2021 season. He was replaced by Zach Calzada.

Johnson broke a thumb last season. He was replaced by King, who was eventually sidelined by injury and inconsistent play. Weigman finished last season as the starter.

Then Weigman was lost when he sustained a lower leg injury when hit by a blitzing defensive back in a 27-10 victory over Auburn.

Jamie Maury, TexAgs

Before exiting the game this past weekend, Le’Veon Moss recorded 52 rushing yards on nine carries and a TD.

Fisher indicated the rash of injuries is primarily a streak of bad luck, not a reason to adjust blocking schemes in the offensive line.

He pointed out some of the injuries could not be blamed on the line.

“You go watch quarterbacks that run around there in college football. They get the heck knocked out of them every week and they’re not sliding and running through,” he said. “Some guys are just more prone to injuries than others.

“How you pass block, how you run block? How did [A&M quarterbacks] get hurt? Hit a thumb. (King) In space running five yards down the field and it turns to turf toe. Conner… we got beat on a protection. As he stepped up the guy hit him in the ankle. No… you don’t change that.”


Hope for the Future

The loss to Ole Miss dropped A&M to 5-4 on the season. Since last season the Aggies are 10-11.

Yet, Fisher said he still is bullish on the Aggies despite losing to the Rebels.

“I still love our leadership,” he said. “They didn’t fall away. They kept competing and playing every play. We’ve got to learn to help them make another play.

“But I still like the dynamic and personality of this team and their ability to compete.”

ETC...

• Fisher said he did not expect the SEC would suspend A&M defensive tackle Shemar Turner for throwing a punch in the loss to Ole Miss. Ole Miss tackle Micah Pettus got away with an obscene gesture that provoked Turner, who was ejected.
• Fisher praised freshman offensive tackle Chase Bisontis for his performance vs. Ole Miss. “He had one mistake, but other than that he played good,” Fisher said.
• The blocked field goal by Ole Miss that prevented A&M from forcing overtime is credited to 6-foot-7 defensive tackle Zxavian Harris. The block was originally credited to Deantre Prince, who rushed from the right side of A&M’s line.