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Deontae Lawson update: Latest on Alabama LB after first fall practice

1918632_10206777287683070_1367905321192383146_nby: Charlie Potter07/30/25Charlie_Potter
Alabama LB Deontae Lawson
Deontae Lawson (Courtesy of Alabama Athletics)

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Redshirt senior linebacker Deontae Lawson returned to the practice field on Wednesday morning for Alabama’s first day of preseason camp. It was the first practice back for the veteran defender since he suffered a season-ending ACL injury in November.

Lawson sported a brace on his right knee but led the Crimson Tide linebackers through drills.

After practice No. 1, Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer was asked about Lawson’s progress.

“His trajectory is going up,” DeBoer said of Lawson. “Deontae, his leadership is the thing. I think that’s really come out, so that’s exciting. He is gonna be limited, and just the number of reps, the volume – I guess the best way to put it – and what he can take, as expected. And that was gonna be the plan, just with his timeline from the beginning.

“But it’s great having him out there. I think he feels really good about being 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 for the first game.”

Lawson suffered a season-ending ACL injury in Alabama’s road loss at Oklahoma on November 23. Prior to his setback, the inside linebacker totaled 76 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, two sacks, four pass breakups, one interception and one forced fumble. Although he missed the Tide’s final two games of the 2024 season, Lawson finished second on the team in tackles.

Last year, Lawson was voted a team captain before the 2024 campaign started and is the lone returning Alabama captain. He was the quarterback of the defense last season and relayed the calls from defensive coordinator Kane Wommack via in-helmet communication. “He’s really my voice on the field,” Wommack said of Lawson’s importance to the UA defense.

Alabama will return to the practice field for its second preseason workout on Thursday, July 31. The Tide will kick off the 2025 season on the road at Florida State on Saturday, August 30.

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