Seahawks safety Kevin Ellison pleaded not guilty to felony drug possession Wednesday at Los Angeles Superior Court in Torrance, Calif., the *Seattle Times* reported, the latest development in a case that led to the player's release by the San Diego Chargers and a federal investigation of that team's medical staff.
Ellison's next court appearance is scheduled for Oct. 5, which falls during the Seahawks' bye week.
Ellison was arrested in May after Redondo Beach police stopped him for speeding in a school zone. Police said a search of Ellison's vehicle turned up 100 Vicodin pills.
Ellison's case sparked the interest of the Drug Enforcement Administration, which opened an investigation into Dr. David Chao, a member of the Chargers' medical staff. The DEA said Wednesday that it doesn't believe Chao was personally using medications even though he apparently had written at least 108 drug prescriptions to himself since 2008.
In a statement Wednesday night, Chao denied the implication of self-use or self-prescribing of controlled substances and said he will continue to appropriately treat injuries. Chao also reiterated the Chargers' past statement that Ellison didn't receive the Vicodin from anyone associated with the team.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
