Auburn’s well-documented woes have been both offensive and defensive.

The offense has been taking most of the heat due to the inconsistency at the quarterback position. The switch to Sean White has only hyper-focused the conversation around who stands under center.

While the quarterback is arguably the most visible and publicized position, another key force is missing from Auburn’s ranks that could be making the bigger impact. Defensive end Carl Lawson hasn’t gotten much playing time in the last few seasons. In fact, he didn’t play at all last season due to a knee injury. Excitement surrounded his return to the field in 2015, but he also didn’t play long.

During Auburn’s season opener against Louisville, Lawson came out due to hip flexor irritation and did not return for the second half. While it did not seem like a major injury then, he hasn’t returned and could even miss the entire season.

Lawson started making an impact on defense during his freshman year. He ended 2013 with the third-most tackles for loss on the team. That season, Auburn finished second in the SEC in tackles for a loss. He also had 4 sacks, the second-most among Auburn defenders.

Currently, Auburn is 11th in tackles for losses in the SEC. Auburn ranks 12th in sacks and is dead last in total defense, allowing on average 413.5 yards a game. This is a defense littered with experienced players like Kris Frost, Cassanova McKinzy and Montravius Adams. It’s a defense coached by lauded defensive guru Will Muschamp. But something is missing.

Lawson’s playmaking ability could be that something. During the short time that Lawson was on the field against Louisville this season, he accounted for four assisted tackles, two tackles for loss and one sack. His two tackles for loss during less than a half of football still puts him third so far among Auburn defenders. His solitary sack currently also ties him for third on the team.

It’s more than just coincidence that Auburn’s defense looked its best — looked like it was supposed to look — during the same stretch of time that Lawson was on the field. Louisville was unable to get anything going offensively during those first few drives. The Cardinals run game consisted mostly of 1- to 2-yard rushes, with plenty of no gains and negative yardage in between the positive. But that changed quickly. Auburn’s defense opened up and Lawson was nowhere to be seen.

Losing Lawson is far from the only reason why Auburn’s defense is ranked last like it is. Poor effort and poor tackling all have their place in the equation. But there’s no doubting that the Tigers are hurting because Lawson is not on the field, and it hurts just as much as when their quarterback makes yet another costly mistake.