[Tuck4Bama]

AUBURN -- Only days before Auburn's season opener against Kansas State, the status of running back Brad Lester is back up in the air.

After saying recently that Lester was in good standing and would play in the opener, Auburn coach Tommy Tuberville backtracked Tuesday and suggested it could be later this week before Auburn knows for sure.

"To this point, he's playing," Tuberville said. "That's all I know. We'll talk about it as we go along."

Lester was suspended for the Jan. 1 Cotton Bowl for reasons he later blamed on "academics."

Lester told the Press-Register earlier this month that he had made good grades during the summer semester and would definitely play in the opener. Lester also said that he was not now, nor had he ever been, academically ineligible.

Auburn did not allow reporters to speak to Lester on Sunday or Tuesday, the team's primary media day. Later, a media representative said all running backs were off-limits.

Senior quarterback Brandon Cox said he expected Lester to play.

Tuberville's comments were less encouraging.

More or Lester?- al.com

[Lefty Noob]

Interesting. Does Tuberville hold his players to a higher standard than minimum eligibility?