Former Raiders quarterback JaMarcus Russell was in a Mobile, Alabama, courtroom this morning, where he entered a plea of not guilty to a charge of possession of a controlled substance.
A preliminary hearing was set for August 11, and Russell’s attorney, Donald Briskman, reiterated his previous prediction that Russell will be exonerated.
“We’re looking forward to the hearing on August 11,” Briskman said, per the Press-Register. “I asked the court to set it early so we could get this behind us.”
Briskman added that Russell is “getting prepared to play professional football.” There have been no substantive reports of any NFL teams planning to sign Russell, although the UFL’s Omaha Nighthawks have shown some interest.