Alabama football had very few negative things happen in its victory over Ole Miss versus the first three matchups.
An injury to a starting linebacker was the lone setback for the Crimson Tide. Deontae Lawson, a redshirt sophomore, left the contest with an ankle injury in the second quarter. He had been playing well before the mishap and did not return. After the game, Nick Saban stated Lawson had an ankle injury. The Mobile (Ala.) native is ‘day-to-day’ for practice as the Tide faces Mississippi State at Davis Wade Stadium this weekend. Bulldog fans make it fun with the cowbells in Starkville, Miss.
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If Lawson cannot go, Saban revealed who will emerge on defense.
“We played most of the game last week with Jihaad (Campbell) playing and Trezmen (Marshall) playing,” Saban said.
“That will be the way that we go. The depth at that position is going to become critical for us if Deontae can’t go, so we got to continue working with these guys to get them ready to go this week.”
Campbell, a second-year linebacker from New Jersey, filled in admirably for Lawson against the Rebels. He recorded seven solo tackles and laid big hits on Ole Miss’ quarterback, Jaxson Dart. Campbell knocked Dart out of the game with a punishing tackle that ignited the crowd at Bryant-Denny Stadium. He also helped the defense limit Quinshon Judkins to 56 yards rushing.
Marshall, a transfer from Georgia, had three tackles versus Mississippi. He would continue as the middle linebacker, while Campbell would replace Lawson at weakside linebacker against Miss. State if Lawson cannot play.
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Saban also likes what he has in Kendrick Blackshire and Justin Jefferson at the position.
Campbell, however, has earned the right to be the next man up. It will be interesting to see Lawson’s progression through practice, but Campbell is prepared to make noise on Saturday if Lawson cannot participate.
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Stephen M. Smith is the managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
