Whatever interest the Jets may have had in JaMarcus Russell has probably been ended by Alabama police.
The Associated Press reports the former Raiders quarterback “has been charged with possession of a controlled substance – codeine syrup — after being arrested at his home in Alabama on Monday, authorities said.”
The arrest resulted from a two-month undercover investigation that could result in more arrests.
Mobile County Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman Lori Myles said Tuesday that the investigation wasn’t targeting Russell but that his name and home address had come up several times.
Myles says forensic tests to determine the amount of codeine syrup involved sometimes take 5-7 days. Russell has a bond hearing Wednesday and his trial is scheduled for July 20.
Russell did not return a call from The Associated Press Tuesday. A business partner of Russell’s agent said they had no comment.
The Jets reportedly made a call to Russell late last month in their effort to land an additional backup quarterback for Mark Sanchez. It’s believed the call was cursory in nature and no offer was made.
“Russell, who graduated from high school in Mobile, was booked into the city jail and released soon afterward on $2,500 bond, online records show,” the AP says.
The Raiders released Russell after last season.