ATLANTA, GA - DECEMBER 03: Shaun Dion Hamilton #20 of the Alabama Crimson Tide celebrates with teammates after an interception in the first quarter against the Florida Gators during the SEC Championship game at the Georgia Dome on December 3, 2016 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Alabama star linebacker's injury worse than previously thought

This is just terrible.

Alabama trounced Florida 54-16 in the SEC Championship Game, but the Crimson Tide did not come away clean from the game. In fact, it lost one of its best defenders in Shaun Dion Hamilton, but now that injury is worse than just "a knee" as coach Nick Saban initially described it.

RELATED: Alabama suffers horrible injury news ahead of College Football Playoff run

Hamilton was going up to defend a pass in the second quarter and came down awkwardly on his leg, which turned out to be a non-contact knee injury. According to Al.com, Hamilton suffered a torn ACL on that play.

RELATED: Alabama had more than one major injury in the SEC Championship Game

Alabama was already without Eddie Jackson for the rest of the year and now Hamilton will definitely be missing the rest of the postseason. He was third on the team with 64 tackles and had two sacks and two interceptions. Rashaan Evans will be the starter going forward.

[h/t Saturday Down South]