PHOENIX -- Clemson All-American defensive end Shaq Lawson said there's a "very good chance" he will play against Alabama in Monday night's College Football Playoff National Championship Presented by AT&T.
Lawson, a junior, suffered a sprained MCL in his left knee in the Tigers' Capital One Orange Bowl win over Oklahoma on Dec. 31, left the game early and didn't return.
"There's a very good chance I'll play," Lawson said. "I'm just trying to get my knee stronger before Monday."
Lawson, a Lombardi Award finalist who leads the nation in tackles for loss (23.5), will be key to the Tigers' defensive efforts against the Crimson Tide.
Asked to put a percentage on the chance that he plays, Lawson said "60 percent" but emphasized there's still time to improve before kickoff (8:30 p.m. ET, ESPN).
Lawson said he is getting treatment from Clemson's training staff twice a day for a total of about two hours daily. He practiced Thursday but noted that he has been limited.
"I'm getting better every day," Lawson said.