Preseason All-SEC defensive end Carl Lawson could be lost for the season, again.

Auburn coach Gus Malzahn confirmed after Saturday’s loss at LSU that his best player defensively is out indefinitely and that he’s ‘hopeful’ Lawson will play this season:

Lawson’s missed Auburn’s last two games and the second half of the opener with a hip injury. He returned to full strength during fall practice with a surgically-repaired knee.