Alabama football lost a key piece of its defense on Saturday, when linebacker and captain Deontae Lawson went down with a leg injury in the first half of the Crimson Tide’s 24-3 loss to Oklahoma. Lawson entered the injury tent on the sideline, then headed to the UA locker room.

He was quickly ruled out for the remainder of the game. After the shocking defeat in Norman, Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer shared the latest on Lawson.

“It’s going to be a lower extremity injury,” DeBoer said. “You know, continue to evaluate further here we get back.”

Lawson is one of the Crimson Tide’s two starting inside linebackers, alongside Jihaad Campbell. When he left the game, he was replaced by Justin Jefferson.

Besides his obvious contributions, Lawson’s absence creates several problems for Alabama. For one, he wears the helmet communication system, which coaches use to call plays during the game, a new addition to SEC football this season.

Lawson being out would also exacerbate Alabama’s problems at edge, the position that defensive coordinator Kane Wommack calls the “wolf.” With regular starter Que Robinson out for the season, Qua Russaw and Yhonzae Pierre get most of the snaps out there.

However, in some situations, Campbell moves out to edge. That’d be more difficult without Lawson to help out inside.

Alabama returns to action on Saturday, when Auburn visits Tuscaloosa for the Iron Bowl