AUBURN AUTHORITY

Jermaine Whitehead only playing on special teams as part of punishment

James Crepea

Montgomery Advertiser

Auburn defensive back Jermaine Whitehead fights for the ball as South Carolina linebacker Skai Moore recovers the onside kick during Saturday's game.

AUBURN -- Jermaine Whitehead is continuing to serve exclusively on special teams as part of his punishment stemming from a reported verbal altercation with an assistant coach nearly two months ago.

"That's just part of the punishment," Auburn coach Gus Malzahn said of Whitehead not played on defense since his reinstatement on Oct. 21. "He came back and he's working on special teams and he's going to try to be the best special teams player he can be."

Auburn defensive coordinator Ellis Johnson said Whitehead, who warmed up with the safeties on Saturday, would not return to defense "at this time."

Asked if there is a possibility for Whitehead, a senior, to return to defense this season, Malzahn would not commit either way.

"We'll see how that goes," Malzahn said. "I'm not ready to go there yet."

Whitehead, who has not been available for interviews since his suspension prior to the Kansas State game, has not recorded a tackle in two games, though he has played almost exclusively on kickoff returns, including failing to recover an onside kick against South Carolina.