Alabama football receives devasating injury news on star LB
The hits keep on coming in the aftermath of Alabama football's blowout defeat at the hands of Oklahoma on Saturday night.
Star LB Deontae Lawson went down with an injury during the game. On Monday, it was reported that Lawson would miss the remainder of the season with a significant leg injury. ESPN's Pete Thamel was first to break the news:
Sources: Alabama linebacker Deontae Lawson will miss the remainder of the season after suffering a significant leg injury against Oklahoma. He went down with the injury and was ruled out for the remainder of the game. pic.twitter.com/tNxrKhabIY
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) November 25, 2024
Lawson and Jihaad Campbell made up one of the best LB duos in college football. Lawson was also the green dot communicator for the defense, meaning he was the signal caller and had the in-helmet communication with the coaching staff pre-snap.
Lawson is 2nd on the team in tackles with 76 behind only Campbell. The redshirt junior was widely expected to enter the 2025 NFL Draft, but this injury could change that. He could choose to return to Tuscaloosa for his senior season as he spends the offseason rehabbing. It will all depend on a timetable for his injury and whether he would be able to workout in the pre-draft process or not.
Where does Alabama turn with Lawson out?
Lawson is a significant loss. He's one of the leaders on the team and one of the best players overall.
Alabama DC Kane Wommack on Deontae Lawson: "When you lose a guy that is really your steady-maker in the box and does such a good job with the green-dot communication ... that's tough. That's a tough loss, for sure."
— Charlie Potter (@Charlie_Potter) November 25, 2024
Alabama does have the luxury of senior LB Justin Jefferson being one of the top backups in the entire country. Jefferson has played well when given snaps. He'll now have to shoulder a bigger load as he will take on the green dot responsibilities.
Jefferson is 4th on the team in tackles with 46 despite not being a starter. Kane Wommack has found creative ways to get him on the field because he is undeniably a talented player.
Redshirt sophomore Jeremiah Alexander and then freshman Justin Okoronkwo are likely next in line for snaps behind Jefferson and will see role increases as a result of Lawson's injury.