"JaMarcus Russell pleaded not guilty to charges of possession of a controlled substance Tuesday morning in Mobile, Ala.

Russell was arrested July 5 when police discovered one bottle of codeine syrup during a search of his Mobile home by a county sheriff's narcotics team. Police said Russell did not have a prescription for the drug.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Aug. 11.

The Mobile Press-Register reports that Russell, dressed in a black suit decorated with his initials, did not answer questions from reporters, though his attorney hinted at the former Oakland quarterback's return to football."