"JaMarcus Russell's latest tribulation — a charge that he possessed a controlled substance in Alabama this week — could involve a powerful beverage that bubbled up from the underground Houston rap scene a decade ago and appears to be gaining momentum in popular culture.

For the NFL, that means a measure of concern because the case regarding the former Oakland Raiders quarterback is not the first involving codeine and allegations regarding a current or past player.

Russell, released by the Raiders in May, posted bail and is scheduled to appear in court July 20 in Mobile after being charged with possession of codeine syrup on Monday. The Mobile County sheriff's office said Russell was arrested during an undercover investigation."