By Collin Mickle
Staff Writer

Brad Lester’s academic troubles added a new chapter Friday.
And Auburn’s once-vaunted running back depth took another hit.
Lester, AU’s starting tailback, is suspended indefinitely while he deals with academic issues dating back to last December. Auburn released a statement Friday night saying the junior wouldn’t play until those issues are resolved.
Lester was suspended for the Cotton Bowl, but head coach Tommy Tuberville said in the spring that Lester had been reinstated.
As late as Tuesday, Tuberville said Lester was Auburn’s starter and would play.
“Well, to this point he’s playing,” Tuberville said Tuesday. “That’s all I know. We’ll talk about it as we go along but Brad’s our starter. The running back position is going to be running back by committee again, like it has been over the years.”
It’s unclear if Lester’s circumstances changed between Tuesday and Friday.
With Lester sidelined, AU will rely on sophomore Ben Tate, redshirt freshman Mario Fannin and senior fullback Carl Stewart.
Junior Tristan Davis will miss at least three weeks with a broken toe.

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