Clemson DE Shaq Lawson out with knee injury vs. Oklahoma

The Clemson Tigers are battling the Oklahoma Sooners in the first College Football Playoff semifinal without star defensive end Shaq Lawson, who is on the sideline with an ice pack on his left knee in the first quarter.

Here's the latest on his status:

Per Clemson: DE Shaq Lawson has a knee injury, is icing it now on the sideline. Trainer Danny Poole has not ruled him out for the game.

— Aaron Brenner (@Aaron_Brenner) December 31, 2015

At halftime, the medical staff provided an update:

DE Shaq Lawson out for rest of game with injury. Huge loss for Clemson.

— Jon Solomon (@JonSolomonCBS) December 31, 2015

The 6'3, 270-pounder drew headlines after exchanging trash-talk on Wednesday with Sooner players after finding his way onto the Oklahoma team bus following a team luncheon. There had already been an altercation between players from the two teams during the luncheon that included some pushing and shoving.

Now it appears that Lawson may not have an opportunity to back up that trash talk and continue a season that has seen him record 22.5 tackles for loss and 9.5 sacks.