Jermaine Whitehead reinstated after monthlong suspension

AUBURN -- Safety Jermaine Whitehead has been reinstated to the Auburn football program after serving a monthlong suspension for a reported verbal altercation with an assistant coach.

"He practiced with the team on Sunday," Auburn coach Gus Malzahn said Tuesday. "He's going to do everything he can to try to earn himself back on the field. I don't know exactly how long that will take. I don't have a timetable on it. But we'll see how that goes and as far as his reinstatement and what he did and all that, that's between me and him."

Whitehead, a 5-foot-11 193 pound senior, started 28 straight games prior to the incident. He has 12 tackles and two interceptions this season, including a 33-yard interception return for touchdown against Arkansas.

Malzahn would not say why Whitehead's suspension, which lasted approximately one month after his reported verbal altercation with an assistant coach days before the game at Kansas State on Sept. 18, ended after four games.

"Like I said, that's between me and him with everything that went into that up to this point," Malzahn said. "A lot of times seniors have a lot to do with decisions and stuff like that. So does the coaching staff. It was matter of fact."

With Whitehead out, Josh Holsey has started the last four games at field safety.

"We all really miss Whitehead, his work ethic," Holsey said. "It was good to see him back out there for the first time and see him get out there and run around a little bit with us."

Holsey said Whitehead was working with the scout team on Sunday and was unsure what the plan would be if and when Whitehead returns to the lineup.

"We just know he's back," Holsey said, "and we're happy to have him back."

Whitehead has not been available for interviews since the incident.