A Mobile, Alabama grand jury has declined to indict free agent NFL quarterback JaMarcus Russell on drug charges, WKRG in Mobile reports.

During a raid at his home on July 5, authorities discovered "purple drank", a mixture of codeine syrup and Sprite (or 7-Up, Gatorade, juice, etc...), in Russell's bedroom. Russell was placed under arrest and charged with posession of codeine syrup without a valid prescription.

Russell plead not guilty to the charges on August 11, and a friend has come forward to claim responsibility for the codeine syrup.

The first overall pick of the 2007 NFL Draft expected to be cleared of the charges.

"It's an open case and I can't speak on it, but things will be acquitted in a matter of time," Russell said during an appearance last Saturday on The John Clayton Show on 710 ESPN Seattle. "They're still working on that. It will be thrown away as soon as possible."

Russell has a grievance hearing scheduled for November 30, with his former team, the Oakland Raiders, seeking repayment of $9.55 million they paid to Russell during this three-year stint with the franchise.