Defensive end Davonte Lambert, the team’s leader in sacks, went down with a left leg injury on the first defensive play of the Tigers’ 31-7 win over Samford on Saturday. The 6-foot-2, 293-pound junior was injured making a tackle, then went to the locker room and did not return to the field.
“He’s probably out this week,” Auburn defensive coordinator Ellis Johnson said Sunday, per the Montgomery Advertiser. “We don’t know for sure.”
Lambert, a junior college transfer, has 24 tackles, including seven for loss, and a team high 3.5 sacks on the season for the 8-3 Tigers. With it looking like Lambert will miss Saturday’s big game, Johnson said senior Gabe Wright will probably move out to end. Freshman Raashed Kennion could also see increased action.
“We’ve had Gabe and Montravius (Adams) out there before and I’m sure they’ll have to be repped and be ready to go,” Johnson said. “Raashed Kennion came in Saturday night and got almost basically his baptism as far as getting to play some. Whether he’ll be up for this or not, I don’t know.”
In addition to Lambert, leading receiver D’haquille Williams may not be ready to play against the Crimson Tide. He has missed the last two games with a sprained right MCL and is currently considered day-to-day.
“He’s getting better,” offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee said. “The guys we held (out), we felt like it was the right decision, and we feel like it’s going to increase their chances of playing this week. We’ll just know when we get out there (Monday) and get after it and see where they’re at.”
Williams, a junior, leads the Tigers with 38 catches, 609 yards and five touchdowns on the season. He, along with Ricardo Louis – who was also held out against Samford – would provide a big boost for Auburn’s offense against top-ranked Alabama.
"It changes things a lot when you've got guys like (Williams) or even Ricardo and those guys out there," Lashlee said. “The more weapons you have, the more honest the defense has to play you. We want to be full strength, and we're optimistic we will be."
For more Auburn news, visit AuburnSports.com.
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From Dr. Saturday - NCAAF - Yahoo Sports - Auburn's Davonte Lambert 'probably out' for Iron Bowl
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