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Auburn defensive end Carl Lawson (55) talks to the media after spring practice Saturday, April 12, 2014, at Jordan Hare Stadium in Auburn, Ala. (Julie Bennett/jbennett@al.com)

AUBURN, Alabama -- The chances of a return this season for Carl Lawson decline with each passing week.

With only four games left in the regular season, the sophomore defensive end has not returned to the field, and Auburn's coaches haven't hinted he's on his way back yet.

Auburn coach Gus Malzahn, asked if Lawson was definitely ruled out

"Like I've said before, until he's 100 percent healthy, my No. 1 concern is his long-term health," Malzahn said.

Lawson, who had 7.5 tackles-for-loss and four sacks as a freshman, tore his ACL in the final week of spring practice, then underwent surgery on May 1.

A typical ACL recovery is 6-9 months, a period that would have expired at the end of November, but few athletes are able to return to the field that fast.

If he doesn't play, Lawson will redshirt this season and be back at full tilt next year.

"He's a great player, he's got a great future," Malzahn said. "That's really all there is to it."