AUBURN AUTHORITY

Jermaine Whitehead suspended indefinitely

James Crepea
Montgomery Advertiser
Auburn safety Jermaine Whitehead is suspended indefinitely.

MANHATTAN, KANSAS -- The future of Jermaine Whitehead, one of Auburn's best and most consistent defenders, is unclear.

Whitehead did not travel with the Tigers to Kansas State for Thursday's game, which Auburn won 20-14.

Auburn coach Gus Malzahn said Whitehead, whose streak of 28 straight starts ended on Thursday, was "suspended indefinitely."

Whitehead, a senior, was involved in a verbal altercation with an assistant coach, according to a report by AuburnUndercover.com citing "knowledgeable sources." Malzahn did not comment on the reported incident.

"I'm not getting into any specifics," he said.

Whitehead has 12 tackles and two interceptions, including a 33-yard interception return for touchdown against Arkansas, this season.

In his absence Auburn turned to Josh Holsey to move back to safety, where he started six games at the boundary position last season.

Malzahn said Holsey, who had a career-high and game-high 11 tackles, was moved from cornerback to field safety in the past two days.

With Whitehead's future uncertain, it will be up to Holsey, and possibly others, to help fill the void.

"We're going to be alright," cornerback Trovon Reed said. "We've got some guys to step up. We'll be alright."