Carl Lawson 'determined' to return from ACL surgery

• Tigers%27 top pass rusher out indefinitely after ACL surgery

HOOVER -- Carl Lawson, one of the most important members of the Auburn defense, is out indefinitely as he recovers from knee surgery.

Auburn coach Gus Malzahn delivered the grim news at SEC Media Days on Monday that the surgery Lawson, the team's best returning pass rusher, underwent on May 1 was on the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee.

"He hurt his knee the last week of spring ball," Malzahn said. "Dr. (James) Andrews looked at it, wanted to wait two weeks for the swelling to go down to be accurate and after two weeks he determined he needed to get it fixed. We got it fixed; Carl is working very hard, he's determined to try to make it back some time this year. So we'll see how that goes."

There is no timetable for Lawson's return, though anything before the midway point of the season sounds highly implausible.

"That's yet to be determined," Malzahn said, "but he is an unbelievable worker. He's a physical specimen, put together extremely well."

Lawson was expected to be Auburn's answer to replacing Dee Ford, the first-round NFL Draft pick who had 10 1/2 sacks last season. The Milton, Georgia native had 20 tackles, with 7 1/2 for loss including four sacks, as a true freshman last season.

"He's a freak athlete," senior defensive lineman Gabe Wright said of Lawson. "I believe he's a phenom. He's a guy that can really be three-and-done (to the NFL), honestly. ... Carl's body was in excellent shape. His leg was so strong, his quad muscle was so strong, he's not losing anything. Carl is a hard worker and I know he'll bounce back very quickly."

Wright, who spent part of spring practice working at defensive end in the "rhino package," believes Lawson will be able to play this season.

While the heralded sophomore is on the shelf, Auburn will look to LaDarius Owens and Elijah Daniel to be the leading defensive ends with Wright and Montravius Adams, who also worked at end at times in the spring, as "possible" options as well.

"(Defensive line) coach (Rodney) Garner's got a lot of flexibility and he'll have a good plan to address defensive end," Malzahn said.

Auburn has three new defensive ends from last year's signing class in Raashed Kennion, Justin Thornton and Andrew Williams, who could now be in line for playing time with Lawson out.

"We've got other good players behind him," center Reese Dismukes said, "but obviously we're hoping he gets back as soon as he can and helps us win games."