Justin Jefferson, you’re up.

And no, not the Minnesota Vikings receiver. Though the Alabama football linebacker with the same name replicating that elite level of play, albeit at a different position, would be welcomed by the Crimson Tide.

Jefferson will be the next man at linebacker with Deontae Lawson now out for the season with a lower-body injury. Jefferson’s not only filling a spot but also taking over an important role on the defense: The green dot communicator.

He will be the primary player to wear the helmet that is connected to defensive coordinator Kane Wommack’s headset. Lawson, a captain, was that player this season.

“Justin can run,” Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer said. “Justin is physical. He’s a guy you can count on. He’s really trustworthy. He pours everything into it. He has a team-first mindset, going through spring ball, kind of trying to figure out his role at the time. He’s been ready whenever called upon.”

Jefferson, the third linebacker behind Jihaad Campbell and Lawson this season, has tallied 22 tackles, two sacks and one forced fumble this season. A former top junior college player, Jefferson is in his second season with the Crimson Tide.

“I know that along with the disappointment that we have and how much we love Deontae, we’re also excited about the next man up and the opportunity that it creates for him and so Justin’s a huge fan of our entire team, our coaching staff,” DeBoer said. “We’re all fans of him and want him to go out there and be great and be confident.”

Jefferson has been working with the green dot helmet all season as an alternate to Lawson, so it won’t be completely new to him. Campbell is capable of being that player for the defense, too, but Campbell is busy moving around from the middle to the edge.

“It’s hard when a guy’s moving around like that for him to be the green dot communication,” Wommack said. “So we have two guys that certainly can handle it, but Justin will take the majority of the responsibility.”

Next up, Alabama will face Auburn in the Iron Bowl on Saturday (2:30 p.m. CT, ABC) at Bryant-Denny Stadium.

Nick Kelly is an Alabama beat writer for AL.com and the Alabama Media Group. Follow him on X and Instagram.