San Jose State vs Auburn Football

Auburn defensive back Jermaine Whitehead stalks San Jose State wide receiver Tyler Ervin at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Ala, Saturday, Sept. 6, 2014. (Mark Almond/malmond@al.com)

(MARK ALMOND)

AUBURN, Alabama -- Auburn safety Jermaine Whitehead's status for the remainder of the season is up in the air.



The senior is expected to miss his third game of the season when No. 5 Auburn (4-0, 1-0 SEC) hosts No. 15 LSU (4-1, 0-1) Saturday at 6 p.m. on ESPN.



The senior remains indefinitely suspended, Auburn coach Gus Malzahn said Monday. Whitehead was not allowed on Auburn's sideline during its 45-17 victory against Louisiana Tech. Whitehead got into a verbal altercation with one of Auburn's assistant coaches prior to the Tigers' road game at Kansas State Sept. 18, according to AuburnUndercover.com.



Whitehead was seen inside Auburn's athletics complex Tuesday. When asked if the door is open for Whitehead to return this season, Malzahn declined to go into details.

"I'm not going to go any further than that," Malzahn said. "Nothing's changed up to this point."



Auburn has done well without Whitehead on the field. Cornerback Josh Holsey moved to field safety and recorded a team-high 11 tackles during the Tigers' 20-14 victory at Kansas State and four more stops against Louisiana Tech. He was named the SEC's defensive player of the week following the win at Kansas State.



Whitehead entered the third game of the season leading the Tigers' defense with 122 snaps. He also had two interceptions, including a 33-yard return for a touchdown in the 45-21 victory against Arkansas in the season opener.



