The day of big announcements continues for the Auburn Tigers. On top of Sean White supplanting Jeremy Johnson as the starting quarterback, star defensive end Carl Lawson will apparently miss what is being called an “extended period” with a hip injury. ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg reported the development on Twitter.
Overshadowed by Sean White announcement is that Auburn will be without top defender Carl Lawson for "extended period" with hip injury.
— Adam Rittenberg (@ESPNRittenberg) September 22, 2015
A former five-star recruit out of Georgia’s Milton High School, Lawson posted four tackles and a sack in Auburn’s season opener against Louisville before getting hurt. The timing of the injury was rough, especially since Lawson missed all of last season with a torn ACL. As a freshman in 2013, he appeared in 11 games and posted 20 tackles (7.5 for a loss) and four sacks with two forced fumbles.
Thus, it’s looking like Auburn’s defense will continue to struggle with Lawson sidelined. The Tigers could not contain LSU star running back Leonard Fournette last weekend, dropping to 2-1 and falling out of the Top 25. To add insult to injury, the week before, Auburn needed overtime to defeat FCS opponent Jacksonville State.
Just the same, Lawson’s overall long-term health needs to be a priority as he is just too important a player to risk rushing back and then losing for an even longer period of time, so he’ll stay sidelined until doctors see him fit to return.
Campus Sports will update Lawson’s status as any new information becomes available.
Auburn will look to rebound this weekend when the Mississippi State Bulldogs visit Jordan-Hare Stadium on Saturday. Kickoff is slated for 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN2.
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*Featured Photo (above) credit to USA TODAY Sports
