The status of Auburn’s running back Jarquez Hunter has remained a subject of uncertainty since the university released a statement on May 18 announcing indefinite suspensions.

Hunter did not play in Auburn’s season opener against UMass, sitting on a medical table on the sidelines wearing his No. 27 jersey with no pads, and sweatpants.

Then, Auburn running back Damari Alston posted a tweet Sunday night reading “What the wrist tape say.” In a photo attached to the tweet, his wrist tape had “Free 27″ written on it.

The tweet was quickly deleted.

The situation traces back to a sex tape leaked on Twitter that allegedly showed Hunter. Auburn’s statement about indefinite suspensions came soon after. The Montgomery Advertiser reported that an Auburn spokesperson said the suspensions related to “videos that were posted on social media.” Allegedly, other Auburn players were involved with the video.

But the Auburn statement did not state which players would face suspensions.

Head coach Hugh Freeze has faced the question of Hunter’s status repeatedly, including his press conference Monday to preview Auburn’s trip to play Cal in Berkeley in Week 2.

His answers have largely been dodging the question or a no comment.

The first time he was asked about Hunter came at the SEC Spring Meetings in May in Destin, Florida. It was fewer than two weeks after Auburn’s initial statement on suspensions.

“We don’t comment on individuals and their status with any disciplinary issues within our school,” Freeze said then. “I really don’t have a comment on that.”

The next time Freeze was asked came at SEC Media Days in July in Nashville. Freeze could not say if Hunter would be able to participate in fall camp. He also did not say if any players would face suspensions.

“I can’t comment on University policies or procedures,” Freeze said when asked about Hunter.

Hunter did not play at the start of fall camp practices on Aug. 3. The first time he was seen during periods of practice open to the media was on Aug. 8. He practiced in every Auburn practice from there, during periods open to reporters.

“I’ll say this again: I understand the question but matters related to team rules and procedures, they’re handled internally and they will not be discussed publicly,” Freeze said before Auburn’s first preseason practice.

In Auburn’s first depth chart, released on Aug. 28 before the first game against UMass on Saturday, Hunter was listed as Auburn’s starting running back.

Freeze was then asked Wednesday during his first SEC conference call of the season if Hunter would play in the opener. He didn’t directly address Hunter, and gave a general answer — essentially a no comment.

“I don’t discuss who’s playing and who’s not,” Freeze said on the call. “We hope everybody is healthy enough to play.”

Hunter didn’t play against UMass. But that wasn’t known until Hunter walked out of the tunnel wearing sweatpants during pregame warm-ups alongside the other players known to have injuries who did not play.

Auburn had 289 rushing yards without Hunter. Seven players had rushing attempts. Robby Ashford had nine attempts and Damari Alston had eight. Sean Jackson had the most yards with 64. Ashford scored three rushing touchdowns, Alston scored once, as well as Jackson and Jeremiah Cobb.

On the ESPN broadcast of the game, Freeze said there would be an update on Hunter’s status, but Freeze was not asked about Hunter during his post-game press conference and did not bring up the subject.

There was a statement regarding Hunter sitting on the table where Freeze gave his press conference, with a comment resembling his previous responses.

Freeze was then asked Monday if Hunter would play against Cal this coming Saturday. He again gave a general answer without specifically discussing Hunter.

“The availability of a lot of players is up in the air, so like normally I’d rather not even comment on all of them,” Freeze said during his Monday press conference. “We’ve got a long list. From Nick Mardner to Austin Keys to Jalen (Mcleod) to (Nehemiah) Pritchett. All of those guys hopefully can have a good week. We can really, really use some of those guys.”

Auburn will open up a portion of practice to the media on Tuesday. During the open Tuesday practice session before the UMass, Hunter took part in drills.

It is unclear if he’ll play this weekend, as has been the case throughout the summer and beginning of the season.

Matt Cohen covers Auburn sports for AL.com. You can follow him on Twitter at @Matt_Cohen_ or email him at [email protected]