Carl Lawson TJ Yeldon

Auburn defensive end Carl Lawson (55) stops Alabama running back T.J. Yeldon (4) Saturday, Nov. 30, 2013, during the second quarter of the Iron Bowl at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Ala. (Julie Bennett/jbennett@al.com)

-- Auburn is taking a wait-and-see approach with defensive end

Carl Lawson

, who recently underwent a procedure to repair damage in his left knee.

The extent of the surgery performed by

Dr. James Andrews

has not been revealed, but missing the entire 2014 season is "not in the thought process" for Lawson's family, his father,

Carl Lawson, Sr.

told AL.com.

"He definitely wants to play this year and everybody wants to get a chance to right the wrong from that 13 seconds (against Florida State in the BCS National Championship), so I think the thing is he wants to be out there contributing and trying to help Auburn win a national title," Lawson, Sr. said.

The procedure on Lawson's left knee "went well" and his recovery has been "phenomenal,"

.

Definitive details on the surgery are not available, according to Johnson and Lawson, Sr., but his family confirmed Thursday the sophomore did not tear the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee.

Lawson injured his knee late in spring practices and was using crutches to support his weight at Auburn's A-Day scrimmage on April 19. Lawson Sr. said his son had a "bone bruise" of some sort, and doctors performed the surgery to "clean some stuff up."

Johnson admitted Lawson could miss the season opener Aug. 30 against Arkansas, but even that is up in the air, adding Auburn is "still very optimistic" about Lawson's future.

Lawson finished with 20 tackles, including 7.5 for losses, in his freshman season. He improved as the season progressed and had a crucial fourth-down stop of Alabama's

T.J. Yeldon

late in the Iron Bowl. He was also second only to senior

Dee Ford

with four sacks.

Coaches have long expected Lawson to ascend to Ford's role as the go-to pass rusher in 2014. The injury puts that into question, however.

"When he's ready, he'll be out there," said Lawson, Sr., who played running back at Georgia Tech from 1989 through 1992. "I've got full confidence in the staff to make sure he's not only ready but he's prepared. We've got a great team and we've got a good defensive line rotation. We're in good shape."