Auburn will be without its best defender for quite a while, if not for the remainder of the 2015 season, according to coach Gus Malzahn.
Lawson injured his hip in the first half of Auburn’s season opener against Louisville. He returned to play a series later in the half, but did not play in the second half. The sophomore, who missed all of last season with a torn ACL, was on the sideline while the Tigers struggled against Jacksonville State in their home opener. The sophomore didn’t travel with the team to Baton Rouge.
“(Lawson’s) injury is a little more serious than we first thought,” Malzahn said on Tuesday at his weekly press conference. “He’s going to be out for an extended period of time.”
Malzahn refused to give an exact timetable for Lawson’s return, but he did say he’s “hopeful” Lawson can return at some point this season.
It was not difficult to see the drop-off Auburn suffered when Lawson exited the Louisville game.
In the first half, Auburn gave up 164 yards and zero points as Lawson wreaked havoc, recording four tackles, including two for a loss. The defense faltered without him, however, giving up 241 yards and 24 points.
“Obviously, he’s an impact player,” Malzahn said. “It’s been really tough on him, especially going through last season and then having another [injury]. He’s a great competitor, and he’s going to do everything in his power to get back on the field.”
The defensive struggles have continued since the Louisville game. Auburn gave up 438 yards against Jacksonville State and 485 yards, including 411 on the ground, versus LSU.
Linebacker Kris Frost said he expects to see Lawson on the field again this season.
“I feel like he’ll get back out there and when he does, I know he’ll be excited to get out and we’ll be excited to have him,” Frost said.
Senior cornerback Jonathan Jones said there is no excuse for the defensive play, even without Lawson.
“Guys have to step up and play,” Jones said after Auburn’s loss to LSU last Saturday. “That’s just part of the game, injuries, people not being there. Guys have to step up and play when their number’s called.”
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