Alabama Loses Starting Linebacker Deontae Lawson

Alabama's defense was doing its job against an Oklahoma offense that has struggled, especially with its top five wide receivers out with injury, until the Crimson Tide was hit with a crucial injury.

Alabama linebacker Deontae Lawson, who was tracking down Sooners quarterback Jackson Arnold, seemed to injure his right leg and struggled to walk off the field under his own weight. 

The redshirt junior planted his right foot and immediately fell to the turf. The initial reactions are some type of Achilles injury. Safety Malachi Moore was seen going to check on his teammate in the medical tent. With 5:51 remaining in the second quarter, Lawson was seen heading to the locker room accompanied by medical trainers. 

Lawson took over the starting linebacker job last season and never looked back. He has been the clear leader of the defense for the past two seasons. Entering Saturday night's matchup, Lawson was tied for eighth in the SEC with 74 tackles, including 6.5 for loss and two sacks. 

After Lawsons' 2023 season, he was named a semifinalist for the Butkus Award, presented annually to the nation's top linebacker. During his redshirt sophomore year, he accumulated 67 tackles and 5.5 for loss. 

Alabama will turn to senior linebacker Justin Jefferson to replace Lawson. The Memphis native has amassed 39 tackles, five for loss, and a pair of sacks in 2024.  Jefferson will join the field with fellow insider linebacker Jihaad Campbell.