Nick Saban provides Jaylen Moody injury update after Alabama football beats Texas A&M

Alabama football linebacker Jaylen Moody was unavailable to play against Texas A&M with a kidney bruise, according to coach Nick Saban. The senior was tied for the team lead in tackles (33) entering play Saturday night, but was capably replaced by redshirt freshman Deontae Lawson in the Crimson Tide's 24-20 victory.

"Until (Moody medically) clears, which, he's gradually doing that (but) we thought it would happen more quickly than it did. But it hasn't," Saban said. "So hopefully he'll be back."

Moody's absence gave way to Lawson to make his first career start at the weakside position. Lawson and Moody had been sharing playing time this season, but without the veteran Moody to split snaps with, Lawson made five tackles, including three solo stops.

"I thought Deontae did a pretty good job out there. And he's a good player and we have a lot of confidence in him," Saban added.

It's unclear when Moody might return.

Lawson has 22 tackles and a pass breakup on the season.

Next, No. 1 Alabama (6-0, 3-0 SEC) will face No. 8 Tennessee (5-0, 2-0) on Saturday (2:30 p.m. CT, CBS) at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee.

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This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Nick Saban provides Jaylen Moody injury update after Alabama football beats Texas A&M