Shaun Dion Hamilton Injury: Updates on Alabama LB's Knee and Recovery

Alabama linebacker Shaun Dion Hamilton reportedly tore his ACL during the Crimson Tide's SEC Championship Game victory over the Florida Gators, ending his season.

Continue for updates.

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Latest on Hamilton's Diagnosis

Tuesday, Dec. 6

Matt Zenitz of AL.com, citing sources, reported Hamilton tore his ACL.

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Saban Comments on Hamilton's Injury

Saturday, Dec. 3

After the game, Alabama head coach Nick Saban told the media, via Cecil Hurt of the Tuscaloosa News, that Hamilton is "probably out for the year."

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Hamilton Was Crucial to Tide's Suffocating Defense

Hamilton had intercepted a pass during the first half of Saturday's SEC title game before suffering the injury.

With Alabama trailing 7-0 early in the game, his pick and return down to the Florida 11-yard line set up the Crimson Tide's opening points, which was a field goal.

The defense continued to step up big time throughout the night, picking Austin Appleby off another two times to clinch the easy win.

Hamilton was an integral part of Alabama's No. 1-ranked defense all season. He entered Saturday second on the team with 63 total tackles and garnered high praise from Saban, via Charlie Potter of CBSSports.com:

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We have a lot of confidence in Shaun Dion Hamilton. He's a good player. He's very instinctive. He's one of those guys you can certainly depend on to make the right choice, the right decision, be in the right place relative to what his responsibility is. It's not surprising to me that he's had the production that he's had.

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While this injury could have been a debilitating one for plenty of other programs, Alabama's defense is so deep that it might be able to get by without Hamilton.

Allowing just 11.4 points per game during the regular season, the Crimson Tide defense has been nothing short of stifling, and with leading tackler Reuben Foster leading the linebackers, they should be all right for the College Football Playoff semifinal against Washington.

Stats courtesy of Sports-Reference.com.