One key injured guard closer to getting back for UNC; the other could take a while

North Carolina will be without sophomore guard Seventh Woods for the foreseeable future. Junior guard Cam Johnson will be out for the near future but is getting better.

UNC coach Roy Williams provided an update on both injured players on Tuesday. The Tar Heels (8-1) face Western Carolina on Wednesday night at the Smith Center.

Neither Woods nor Johnson will play. Woods has been dealing with plantar faciitis in his left foot. He has been in a walking boot and not dressed for the past two games.

Williams was vague about a possible return date for Woods, who has averaged 2.4 points in 10.9 minutes in seven games this season.

“He’s going to be out for awhile,” Williams said. “We don’t know how long. I would guess … I really don’t know.”

Johnson is in the third week of a four- to six-week timetable after he had knee surgery to repair meniscus damage in his left knee.

Johnson suffered the injury in practice on Nov. 14, the day before UNC beat Bucknell. The 6-8, 210-pound graduate transfer from Pitt has been progressing.

Once Johnson returns to practice, Williams said, he’ll have a better idea when Johnson could return.

“We’d love to get him back out there and he’s getting better,” Williams said. “He’s getting closer.”

The hope had been Johnson would be ready for ACC play. UNC’s first ACC game is Dec. 30 against Wake Forest.

This story was originally published December 5, 2017 at 3:17 PM with the headline "One key injured guard closer to getting back for UNC; the other could take a while."