Kalen DeBoer provides injury update on Deontae Lawson as fall camp begins

Alabama Linebacker Deontae Lawson (0) in action at Mal. M. Moore Athletic Facility in Tuscaloosa, Alabama on Wednesday, Jul 31, 2024. Photo by Kent Gidley

Alabama football’s fall camp kicked off on Wednesday and returning starting linebacker and team captain Deontae Lawson was on the field taking reps with a brace around his right knee.

Lawson did not have a black no-contact jersey on after suffering a knee injury against Oklahoma in November.

Kalen DeBoer updated his recovery after practice.

“His trajectory’s going up,” DeBoer said. “Deontae, you know, his leadership is the thing that’s really come out, so that’s exciting. He’s going to be limited in just the number of reps, the volume I guess is the best way to put it in what he can take, as expected. And that was going to be the plan, just with his timeline from the beginning. I think he feels good out there. Mentally and physically, I think he’s in a really good spot, but there’s still progress to be made as we build toward the first game.”

Lawson is a key piece of Alabama’s defensive success. Before injury, he tallied up 76 tackles and two sacks. Lawson was named to the Nagurski Trophy watch list on Tuesday, an award that goes to the best defender in college football.

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