Auburn held its third open practice of the preseason Tuesday morning, and its fifth practice overall. After early morning rain, Auburn used both the indoor and outdoor fields, but the biggest headline was certainly junior running back Jarquez Hunter being back on the field.

Here are our notes from practice Tuesday, starting with Hunter and hitting other key points on the offense.

Jarquez Hunter, Caleb Wooden return to practice

In what finally answered a looming question over Auburn’s offense — at least on the field — Jarquez Hunter was seen at practice during the period open to the media Tuesday.

Nor did it seem like Auburn was slowly working him back in. Hunter was in pads with the rest of the team and took snaps behind the projected offensive line starters.

He’s going to be Auburn’s starting running back, but many questions remain regarding the circumstances of his absence and return to practice. Auburn has not commented on Hunter’s status throughout the offseason after a sex tape was released allegedly showing the running back.

Defensive back Caleb Wooden also returned to practice Tuesday. He was also not seen at the first two open periods of Auburn practices.

Wide receiver Koy Moore has been at practice throughout the first few days, but has not been a full participant. He was again standing off on the sideline during offense drills Tuesday.

Robby Ashford and QB rotation continues

During the first two periods of practice open to the media, the order of quarterbacks seemed fairly static. Payton Thorne practiced behind the first-team offensive line, Holden Geriner with the second and Robby Ashford third.

That changed Tuesday. Ashford was with that projected offensive line starters, then Thorne, then Geriner.

How much does that mean? Well, hard to know. Auburn head coach Hugh Freeze and offensive coordinator Philip Montgomery both said there would be a rotation of quarterbacks throughout the first five practices before beginning to narrow down. Today was the fifth practice, so Ashford’s play with the top offensive line may be part of that.

On Tuesday, Ashford did have his best set of throws during any of the open portions to media, including his best-thrown deep-ball: hitting Cincinnati transfer wide receiver Nick Mardner for a touchdown. But again, all the drills open to media are without a defense.

Ashford is Auburn’s incumbent starter after showing some strong flashes at the end of the 2022 season. His 49% completion rate from last season though remains his biggest limitation.

Auburn’s next open practice is Thursday. How Auburn whittles down reps — if it does at all — could be telling. Montgomery mentioned looking to Auburn’s scrimmage at Jordan-Hare Stadium on Saturday as a point where a quarterback could separate themselves.

A look at some depth chart changes on the offensive line, wide receivers

Outside of Hunter’s return, arguably the biggest change to Auburn’s practice was on the offensive line.

After junior Tate Johnson was seen as the left guard on the top offensive line group, junior Jeremiah Wright. Wright started multiple games at that spot last season. Wright had been with the projected second-team offensive line during the first few days of fall camp.

Unlike many of the other position groups on Auburn’s offense that have seen significant rotation, the offensive line groupings had been static before Wright’s move. That means a change on the offensive line likely has more significance and in turn signifies Wright back on the first team.

Johnson played left guard with the second team.

Certainly, a lot of time remains before the opener against UMass on Sept. 2, so nothing is finalized yet.

Elsewhere on the offensive line, recent Northwestern transfer Dylan Senda worked on the second group as a left tackle.

The wide receivers, meanwhile, saw a lot of rotation again. Nick Mardner, Jay Fair, Omari Kelly, Shane Hooks and Jyaire Shorter all saw some amount of run with the top offensive line grouping and Jarquez Hunter on Tuesday. Ja’Varrius Johnson has been seen with all three offensive line groupings throughout the first feOn the second time through the teams on offensive drills, freshman Jeremiah Cobb played with Ashford and the first-team offensive line.

Later in practice, Mardner practiced with the tight end group at the Jugs machine while wide receivers worked elsewhere.