The Auburn Tigers held their first spring practice of the new year on Tuesday afternoon, allowing one of the team’s biggest stars strapped on his pads for the first time in nearly a year.

Defensive end Carl Lawson hasn’t played since he tore his ACL at the end of spring practice last season (he underwent surgery to repair the ACL on May 1), but he rejoined his teammates for Tuesday’s practice and appeared to be at full strength.

Take a look at some video footage of Lawson progressing through drills, courtesy of AL.com, and watch head coach Gus Malzahn’s press conference from the first day of the spring season above.

Other news & notes from Auburn’s first practice:

  • Jason Smith, a 2015 dual-threat quarterback signee and early enrollee on campus, spent time returning punts during Tuesday’s practice, something no Auburn quarterback has done during the Gus Malzahn era, including Nick Marshall. According to reports, Malzahn said Smith would have a chance to compete with Jeremy Johnson for Auburn’s starting quarterback job, but that if he cannot beat out Johnson the coaching staff would try and find other uses for him this fall, including as a wideout and/or punt returner.
  • Other players seen returning punts on Tuesday include 2015’s top junior college transfer Jovon Robinson, as well as wide receiver Marcus Davis.
  • Per Auburn Undercover, 2014 junior college transfer DaVonte Lambert did not practice and was seen wearing a brace on his knee. He’s not expected to practice this spring.
  • Tim Irvin, another 2015 signee and early enrollee, reportedly worked out as the nickel cornerback on Will Muschamp’s defense to begin the spring. He originally signed with Auburn as an athlete.
  • Incumbent starters Jonathan Jones and Johnathan Ford were joined in the first-team secondary by cornerback Joshua Hosley and safety Tray Matthews. Former safeties Derrick Moncrief and Raashad Kennion were seen working out at strong-side linebacker.
  • Lastly, AL.com released an updated version of Auburn’s spring practice roster, including early enrollees, walk-ons and number changes.