Alabama junior linebacker and team captain Donte Lawson is out for the rest of the season with a lower leg injury, head coach Kalen DeBoer told reporters Monday.
The coach described it as a “lower back injury” in his comments following the Crimson Tide’s 24-3 loss at Oklahoma on Saturday.
Lawson, considered the top prospect as a linebacker in the 2025 NFL Draft, was injured in the second quarter and did not return to the game.
“Absolutely an amazing leader,” DeBoer said. “Chosen team captain by the team. I can see not only what he means to us on the field, but how much love our players have for him, especially those who have been watching him for many years. What he puts into it. I know we all feel for him. We appreciate what he’s doing.
“Obviously, you miss a lot of what he does on the football field, but you love to see that guy in the locker room leading his team.”
The 6-foot-2, 239-pound Lawson is 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 is also responsible for communicating the coaches’ calls on defense via helmet radio. Justin Jefferson, who supports Lawson, will take over the role.
“When you lose a guy who really is, he’s your steady-maker in the box and does a great job with green-dot communication and is such a leader for our guys and a great guy on the field.” It’s tough,” defensive coordinator Ken Womack said Monday. “It’s definitely a tough loss.”
Alabama (8-3), which dropped from seventh to No. 13 in the latest AP Top 25 poll, will host in-state rival Auburn on Saturday in Tuscaloosa in the annual Iron Bowl game to conclude the regular season.
–Field Level Media
