Texas CB Brown arrested on drug, weapon charges

The officers also reported finding marijuana under the front seat and charged all three with possession. Only Brown was charged with a weapons violation.

Attorney Jamie Balagia said Gatewood bought the gun at a store and left it in the car after going to a shooting range a couple of weeks earlier.

Balagia said Brown picked up the gun only after it slid out from under the front seat and intended to bring it inside when the players got home.

"It was in his lap, but he was not intentionally violating the law," Balagia said. "Tarell does nothing to suggest he's doing anything illegal or intentionally violating the law. I think what we have is a misunderstanding."

Balagia also said Brown and Gatewood underwent urine tests at school Monday to prove they didn't smoke the marijuana.

If Brown is suspended, it could be a huge blow to a defensive unit considered the team's strength this season. Brown was likely to draw the assignment of covering Buckeye wide receiver Ted Ginn Jr., one of Ohio State's top playmakers.

The Longhorns could start junior Brandon Foster or sophomore Ryan Palmer. Foster has played in 22 games and Palmer in 10 last season.

Brown has 127 career tackles and three interceptions. He broke his arm in the second half of the Rose Bowl last year and had six tackles in a 56-7 win over North Texas.

Gatewood was a former wide receiver before switching to linebacker this season.

In 2003, Mack Brown suspended standout running back Cedric Benson, who was charged with criminal trespassing. He missed a game at Baylor.