Alabama linebacker Deontae Lawson seen on sideline in walking boot

Alabama is going to celebrate in Tuscaloosa on Saturday night, getting a huge win against Brian Kelly and the LSU Tigers. They are one step closer to winning the SEC West and heading to Atlanta. Nick Saban‘s 24-hour rule will likely be in effect before moving on to what could be a tricky road game against Kentucky next week.

Unfortunately, there will be an injury for Alabama to think about once the celebrations are over. Star linebacker Deontae Lawson left the game at one point and he was eventually seen on the sideline with a walking boot. Not what you want to see from someone Saban has called the quarterback of the defense in the past.

This is not the first injury Lawson has dealt with this season. He had recently worked his way back onto the field and was continuing his great 2023 campaign in the middle of Alabama’s defense. Hopefully, the issue is nothing serious and the walking boot is just precautionary.

You can check out the photo of Lawson on the sideline in his boot below.

Alabama LB Deontae Lawson returns to sideline with walking boot on his left foot. pic.twitter.com/aa3cLRG3Rr

— Touchdown Alabama (@TDAlabamaMag) November 5, 2023

From a stats perspective, Lawson recorded just three tackles on Saturday. He was part of the linebacking core attempt to slow down LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels, specifically on the ground. Mainly in the first half, there was not a lot of success as Daniels was able to run all over Alabama.

Saban was fired up about their failures heading into the locker room following the first-half performance.

There was even a move Daniels put on Lawson, putting him on the ground. It’s not known whether or not that play led to Lawson’s injury, thought to be an ankle injury.

Alabama has three games remaining on its schedule, beginning with a road trip to Kentucky for an 11 a.m. kickoff on Saturday. A nonconference game will then be in the middle of that and the Iron Bowl away from home at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Auburn will be waiting and wanting to play spoiler if the Crimson Tide can still make the College Football Playoff.

Getting Lawson back on the field is critical for the short-term and long-term health of the defense. He has emerged as the true leader and gets them into the right looks. Alabama already has a bit of experience with Lawson out of the lineup. But it’s not an injury Saban is going to want to deal with moving forward.