No. 5 Auburn won’t have starting defensive back Jermaine Whitehead Thursday night when it takes on No. 20 Kansas State in Manhattan, Kan.
Ryan Black of the Columbus Ledger-Enquirer in Auburn, Ala., reported via Twitter:
An Auburn spokesman has confirmed senior free safety Jermaine Whitehead did not travel with the team when it left for Kansas earlier today.
— WarEagleExtra (@wareagleextra) September 18, 2014
Auburn Undercover reported Wednesday that Whitehead was suspended after a verbal confrontation with an assistant coach, citing “knowledgeable sources.”
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It’s a big loss. Whitehead has started at safety for 26 straight games and has two interceptions this season for the Tigers (2-0), including one he returned for a 33-yard touchdown in Auburn’s season-opening win over Arkansas.
Whitehead is also fourth on the squad with 12 tackles.
He had 65 tackles and two picks last year to go with six pass break-ups as Auburn advanced to the final BCS National Championship game, losing to Florida State last January.
A senior, Whitehead has five career interceptions—two returned for touchdowns—and 194 total tackles. He also has 15 pass break-ups and one sack.
Freshman Stephen Roberts is listed behind Whitehead on Auburn’s depth chart. In the first two games, Roberts has recorded one tackle.
Auburn opened the season with a 45-21 win over the Razorbacks on Aug. 30 and followed that up with a 59-13 thrashing of San Jose State.
The Tigers had last week off before its first road test of the season against the Wildcats Thursday night. Auburn and K-State have met three times, with the Tigers winning all three, including a 23-13 decision at Jordan-Hare Stadium in 2007, according to Auburn’s game notes.
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