Clemson to announce status of suspended players, including DT Dexter Lawrence, in the coming days

By the late stages of preparation for the national championship game, Alabama will know if it has to contend with Clemson defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence.

Lawrence, along with two other players recently suspended for failing a drug test, are still waiting to see if that status is upheld for next Monday’s contest. The Tigers plan to know by the weekend if the trio will remain suspended.

Per a #Clemson spokesperson at their CFP Final Media Day: There will be an update on the status of the suspended players this week once they hear from the NCAA. So we should know the status of Dexter Lawrence going into the weekend.

— SportsTalk (@sportstalksc) January 2, 2019

Lawrence, offensive lineman Zach Giella and tight end Braden Galloway tested positive for the banned substance ostarine, though they all claimed to have unknowingly taken it. They were sidelined for last week’s College Football Playoff semifinal at the Cotton Bowl, in which the No. 2 Tigers blasted No. 3 Notre Dame 30-3.

Clemson’s star-studded defensive line was disruptive even without Lawrence, but his return would bolster the Tigers’ chances of slowing down No. 1 Alabama’s high-scoring offense in the biggest game of the year.