TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- Between bye weeks, two of Alabama’s top playmakers on the defensive side of the ball have been linebacker Terrell Lewis and cornerback Trevon Diggs.

But this time last year, both players were forced to watch from the sideline.

That’s why their productive stretches of play have been cherished by both Lewis and Diggs.

“This is fun,” Lewis said. “I used to always pass Bryant-Denny and be like, ‘Damn, I ain’t never really got a start there.’ I just cherish the moment as far as being out there, hearing them call my name in the starting lineup and all that. It’s new to me, so I definitely want to enjoy it.”

Diggs said, “Last year, I didn’t make it this far, so I’m very blessed and thankful to be here.”

In the Crimson Tide’s victory over Arkansas this past weekend, Lewis recorded six quarterback hurries, while Diggs scored his second non-offensive touchdown in as many weeks.

Caution! Throw on Trevon Diggs at your own risk! ?? pic.twitter.com/X0yR3eknUK — PFF College (@PFF_College) October 31, 2019

Although he did not record a sack in the game, Lewis still leads the SEC with 6.0 sacks and is tied for the conference lead in tackles for loss at 9.0. Diggs is tied for third place in the league with three interceptions after he recorded a pick-six during the win over the Razorbacks.

Lewis missed the entire 2018 season due to an ACL injury. Diggs sustained a foot injury in the Arkansas game. Having them both produce, given they weren’t this time last year, is big.

“When those guys have been on the field, whenever it’s been, they’ve done extremely well,” head coach Nick Saban said. “Both guys have had a little bad luck with injuries through their careers, and hopefully, both guys will be able to stay healthy to finish this year.

“They’re both playing well. They both make plays. They’re playmaker-type guys, and the more guys you have like that, it’s like 3-point shooters in basketball. When you’ve got them, they make a lot of threes. When you have playmaker-type guys, they make a lot of plays, whether it’s batted balls, pressuring the quarterback, knocking balls down, tackling guys, reacting quickly to plays that helps them recover in certain situations, and both these guys have certainly demonstrated ability to do that.”

Alabama’s defense has gradually improved over the course of the season. The Tide is ranked 10th nationally in scoring defense (15.3 points per game), 15th in passing defense (180.1 yards per game), 19th in total defense (307.5 ypg) and 35th in rushing defense (127.38 ypg).

Arkansas had no chance at all in stopping Terrell Lewis. pic.twitter.com/xTFxWr1G4n — PFF College (@PFF_College) October 30, 2019

Veterans like Lewis and Diggs are leading a defense that has had to play several true freshmen because of injuries to players like Dylan Moses, Joshua McMillon and LaBryan Ray. The young players are gaining more and more experience, but playmakers are difficult to replace, which is why Lewis and Diggs being healthy has been key to steady improvement on defense.

“I think sometimes when you lose significant players, whether it’s Terrell Lewis not being out there, Dylan Moses not being out there, LaBryan Ray not being out there. Those guys are all playmakers,” Saban said. “Tua (Tagovailoa) not being out there -- even though Mac Jones did a marvelous job last week in the game, and I think that’s really helped his confidence.

“But I think all those guys that are those kind of significant players that make plays, you’re not always going to have 11 guys on a unit like that. You’re only going to have three or four probably, and when one of those guys are missing, it does have a significant impact.”

Both Lewis and Diggs are playing, however, and playing at a high level. And their presence and production through eight games, especially the last three weeks, benefit their teammates.

“It’s a blessing,” defensive end Raekwon Davis.

“Them guys, they came back and they came back with a purpose. They’ve got something to prove. To see them go out and have fun, it brings more energy to the team.”

Contact Charlie Potter by 247Sports' personal messaging or on Twitter (@Charlie_Potter).