You get the sense Gus Malzahn’s running out of patience with wide receiver Duke Williams.

But he’s doing everything he can to make sure one of his best players, an oft-troubled star, receives the message.

A no-show at Sunday’s Fan Day, Williams missed Auburn’s first two practices last week for disciplinary reasons, the latest head-scratching development in a list of issues that have plagued the former JUCO transfer since bowl season.

Williams missed a couple of practices leading up to the Outback Bowl and was later suspended for the game after a reported team rules violation. Then, after the conclusion of spring practice, Williams posted several cryptic messages on social media concerning his future at the program that later Malzahn and offensive assistant Dameyune Craig were forced to address.

With a return date unknown following his latest attitude adjustment, a third strike will likely be the last for the projected first-round pick.

“He had a discipline issue that we’re taking care of and when he takes care of that, he’ll be back on the field,” Malzahn said on Saturday. “I’ll make that decision. I will let you know when he’ll be back. Bottom line: nobody is bigger than the team around here and that’s between me and him.”

AL.com columnist Kevin Scarbinsky alluded to the fact in a recent piece that Williams is the type of player who must be ‘managed’ by the coaching staff (according to sources) — which can make for an obvious headache for teammates and everyone involved.

It’s a selfish move on Williams’ part that creates an unnecessary distraction for a team the media picked as the preseason SEC favorite.

Good news for the Tigers is that one receiver doesn’t make this offense go and Malzahn has the upper hand as far as allowing this pattern of mischief to linger. Auburn has depth at the position and is capable of producing at a high level even without a leading All-America candidate on the outside.

Senior Ricardo Louis has No. 1 potential with ample experience and fellow vets Melvin Ray and Marcus Davis are solid, proven targets. Newcomer Jason Smith, a former quarterback, has shown flashes of extreme athleticism thus far in camp and seems to have a handle on the offense.

Offensive assistant Rhett Lashlee downplayed his go-to weapon’s absence on Friday, saying his discipline was “personal business” and is “a day-to-day deal” according to the Montgomery Advertiser.

Ideally, Williams returns to practice before the opener with a new mentality on his final season and sharpens his focus off the field. His latest antics are unfair to teammates, but sometimes life lessons overshadow a player’s impact between the lines and examples must be made.

For Williams’ sake, hopefully Auburn won’t have to teach him the hard way.