Nov 16, 2024; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Deontae Lawson (0) and defensive back DeVonta Smith (8) break up a pass intended for Mercer Bears wide receiver Javarius George (5) at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary Cosby Jr.-Imagn Images Alabama junior linebacker and team captain Deontae Lawson is out for the rest of the season due to a lower leg injury, head coach Kalen DeBoer told reporters Monday.
The coach had described it as a “lower extremity injury” in his comments following the Crimson Tide’s 24-3 loss at Oklahoma on Saturday.
Lawson, regarded as a top prospect at linebacker in the 2025 NFL Draft, was injured in the second quarter and did not return to the game.
“Just an amazing leader,” DeBoer said. “Chosen team captain by the team. I can see not just what he means to us on the field but just the love that our players have for him, especially those that have been through multiple years seeing what he pours into it. I know we all feel for him. We appreciate everything he’s been doing.
“Obviously, you greatly miss everything he does on the football field, but you love having that guy in the locker room leading your team.”
The 6-foot-2, 239-pound Lawson ranks second on the Crimson Tide with 76 tackles. He also had two sacks, 6.5 tackles for loss, one interception, four pass breakups, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery.
The two-year starter also is responsible for communicating the coaches’ calls on defense through the helmet radio. Justin Jefferson, who backs up Lawson, will take over that role.
“When you lose a guy that is really, he’s kind of your steady-maker in the box and does such a great job with the green-dot communication and is such a leader for our guys and a great communicator on the field, that’s tough,” defensive coordinator Kane Wommack said on Monday. “That’s a tough loss for sure.”
Alabama (8-3), which dropped from seventh to No. 13 in the latest AP Top 25 poll, plays host to in-state rival Auburn on Saturday in Tuscaloosa in the annual Iron Bowl game to conclude the regular season.
–Field Level Media
