Battle at LG continues for Auburn football. Tate Johnson, Jeremiah Wright or someone else?

AUBURN — Back and forth we go.

After Jeremiah Wright got work at left guard with the first-group offense at Auburn football practice Tuesday, Tate Johnson was back at the position Thursday. Johnson, who earned the starting center role last season before injuring his elbow, was alongside Dillon Wade at left tackle, Avery Jones at center, Kam Stutts at right guard and Gunner Britton at right tackle.

The quartet of Wade, Jones, Stutts and Britton hasn't budged in the four 30-minute viewing windows of practice this preseason, as the only real movement has been between Johnson and Wright at left guard. Tulsa transfer Jaden Muskrat could be an option at that spot, too, as he's been getting opportunities all along the offensive line early in fall camp.

Also of note on the O-line was Northwestern transfer Dylan Senda getting work with the third group at right guard. He announced his commitment to Auburn just four days ahead of practices beginning Aug. 3.

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Defensive front

Freshman standout Keldric Faulk continues to see time at defensive end, just as defensive coordinator Ron Roberts said he would. Next to Faulk were Jayson Jones, and Marcus Harris, while Appalachian State transfer Jalen McLeod was working at the jack.

Another defensive line featured Elijah McAllister at jack alongside Lawrence Johnson, Justin Rogers and Mosiah Nasili-Kite across the line.

Punt insight

One of the periods during the portion of practice open to reporters was for special teams. Oscar Chapman lined up to punt and went through the motions without the ball so that the personal protectors in front of him could practice.

The personal protectors are the three players lined up about seven yards in front of the punter. The first few players to do that for Chapman on Thursday were Luke Deal, Jalil Irvin and Kam Stutts. Two other groups practiced as well, with Brandon Frazier, Jeremiah Wright and Tate Johnson going second. Tyler Fromm was part of the third group.

Some players still limited

Wide receiver Koy Moore is still off to the side for many of the receiver drills. Linebacker Wesley Steiner, who had a no-contact jersey on Tuesday, had one on again Thursday.

Ja'Varrius Johnson wasn't spotted, but that doesn't always mean he's dealing with an injury. He could've been working on something inside or in a part of the facility not visible to reporters.

Offensive groupings

It's important to note that the offensive groupings during pace drills aren't necessarily indicative of who the starters are, especially at wide receiver. That position, along with quarterback, running back and tight end, has tons of rotation. There's also typically more than three groups, and the units often mix and match. The position group the most can be gleaned from is at offensive line.

There's also the fact that guys such as Johnson and Camden Brown weren't part of the drill. That doesn't mean they've slipped down the depth chart, but perhaps the coaching staff wants to see what some of the newcomers can do.

Regardless, here are the first three offensive groups:

First-team offense:

QB: Payton Thorne

RB: Jarquez Hunter

WR: Nick Mardner, Omari Kelly, Caleb Burton

TE: Micah Riley

OL (left to right): Dillon Wade, Tate Johnson, Avery Jones, Kam Stutts, Gunner Britton

Second-team offense:

QB: Robby Ashford

RB: Damari Alston

WR: Shane Hooks, Jyaire Shorter, Jay Fair (Malcolm Johnson Jr. cycled in)

TE: Rivaldo Fairweather

OL (left to right): Jaden Muskrat, Jeremiah Wright, Connor Lew, EJ Harris, Izavion Miller

Third-team offense:

QB: Holden Geriner

RB: Jeremiah Cobb (Brian Battie, too)

WR: Malcolm Johnson Jr., Kassidy Woods, Jay Fair (Shane Hooks cycled in)

TE: Luke Deal

OL (left to right): Tyler Johnson, Bradyn Joiner, Jalil Irvin, Dylan Senda, Clay Wedin

Richard Silva is the Auburn athletics beat writer for the Montgomery Advertiser. He can be reached via email at rsilva@gannett.com or on Twitter @rich_silva18.

This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: Auburn football: Who will start at LG? Battle continues at practice