Jermaine Whitehead won't return to defense 'at this time'

AUBURN -- Two weeks after his reinstatement after serving a monthlong suspension, safety Jermaine Whitehead is still not practicing on defense.

Asked whether Whitehead, who started 28 straight games at safety prior to his suspension before the Kansas State game, could return to defense, Auburn defensive coordinator Ellis Johnson said, "not at this time."

Whitehead appeared on special teams for the second straight game on Saturday, though his position on kickoff returns changed in the wake of him being unable to recover an onside kick against South Carolina.

South Carolina and Ole Miss passed for 416 and 341 yards, respectively, against Auburn the last two weeks and the Tigers have shuffled personnel.

"Whitehead has been out of the lineup," Johnson said. "That's the most age and experience and some of the younger guys are just going to have to get more consistent."

Whitehead, a native of Greenwood, Mississippi, has been unavailable for interviews since a reported verbal confrontation with an assistant coach. He posted a picture with his mother at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium on Facebook after Saturday's game.

"So much love," Whitehead wrote. "I needed that."