BALTIMORE _ Former Ravens running back Alex Collins was released on $7,500 bail after an initial appearance early Saturday in the district court for Maryland.
The 24-year-old was granted bail shortly after 12:30 a.m. on three criminal charges: possession of more than 10 grams of marijuana, intent to distribute marijuana and possession of a handgun in a vehicle. Collins' attorney Andrew I. Alperstein said the gun was unloaded.
Collins appeared before a commissioner at the district courthouse in Towson.
The Ravens did not immediately respond to a request for comment after Collins' court appearance.
The team waived Collins on Friday afternoon, hours after he was arrested following a morning car crash in Owings Mills near the team's headquarters.
"There are disputed facts in this case, and we look forward to working that out," Alperstein said. "Alex is a nice young man and has been a wonderful contributor to our community in Baltimore and I hope folks will give him the benefit of the doubt as the facts flesh out."
Police found two rifles, ammunition and less than 10 grams of marijuana in a subsequent search of Collins' home.
Baltimore County police said the trouble for Collins started when officers responded to a report of a car that had crashed into a tree on the 10000 block of Dolfield Road at about 6:48 a.m. Friday police spokeswoman Officer Jennifer Peach said.
A passerby called 911 after seeing a black Chevrolet Corvette crashed into a tree, according to police. When police arrived, they found Collins asleep in the driver's seat.
Police said Collins told officers he was not injured and had fallen asleep waiting for a tow truck.
An officer detected the smell of marijuana, and police saw a large glass jar on the front passenger side floorboard with about 5 ounces, or 142 grams, police said.
Police said Collins and a friend left the Towson area around 4 a.m. On the way to drop his friend off at home, Collins said he lost control of his car on the snowy road, slid off the pavement and into a tree around 4:30 a.m., according to police.
Collins called a tow truck and fell asleep. His friend walked home.
Police said Collins and his passenger gave conflicting stories as to whom the marijuana belonged.
Ravens vice president of public relations Chad Steele told The Sun after the incident that the team had spoken with police and was aware of the situation.
Collins struggled last year after a breakout season in 2017 for the Ravens. He was placed on injured reserve with a foot injury in early December, prematurely ending his season in the middle of the Ravens' run to the playoffs. He started every game until Week 12, but averaged just 3.6 yards per carry and didn't have a run of longer than 19 yards.
Collins finished 2018 with 411 rushing yards, less than half his total from the season before (973), when he captivated fans with his downhill running style, shoulder-length dreadlocks and Irish dance touchdown celebrations.
Collins was set to become a restricted free agent, and it was unclear whether he would be offered a contract for next season. Coach John Harbaugh said Wednesday that Gus Edwards is the team's top running back, and he indicated the Ravens would add some competition to the position this offseason.
