Gus Malzahn announced Tuesday that Auburn safety Jermaine Whitehead has been reinstated to the team.

Jermaine Whitehead has been reinstated by Auburn after missing four games due to his suspension. AP Photo/Butch Dill

Whitehead was suspended indefinitely prior to the Kansas State game for being disrespectful to a coach and subsequently missed the team's next four games. Before the suspension, he started each of the first two games and recorded 12 tackles and two interceptions.

Whitehead returned to practice Sunday, and though he's been a starter since 2012, he's still going to have to earn his playing time.

"He's going to do everything he can to try to earn himself back on the field," Malzahn said. "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."

In Whitehead's absence, junior defensive back Joshua Holsey has started every game. He has 23 tackles and two pass breakups in those four games.

Malzahn also announced that freshman wide receiver Stanton Truitt had surgery on his shoulder and will miss the rest of the season. Truitt, who is considered one of the faster players on the team, had two catches for 13 yards. The team will seek a medical hardship waiver.