Rams safety TJ McDonald charged with driving under the influence of drugs

Rams safety T.J. McDonald has been charged with one count of driving under the influence of drugs, a decision tied to McDonald’s arrest in May in Woodland Hills.

The Los Angeles City Attorney’s Office announced its decision to file charges Friday afternoon. McDonald has an Oct. 7 arraignment in Van Nuys and, if found guilty of the misdemeanor, could face a maximum penalty of six months in county jail and a $1,000 fine.

McDonald practiced Friday with the Rams. The City Attorney’s announcement was made shortly after the end of practice, and McDonald was not reachable for comment. It was not immediately known whether McDonald will face any suspension from the Rams or the NFL.

The Rams play Seattle on Sunday in their home opener at the Coliseum, where McDonald played his college football home games for USC.

McDonald, 25, was arrested May 10 after police said a car McDonald was driving hit a parked car on Gershwin Drive in Woodland Hills. Officers questioned McDonald at the scene, then drove him to a police station and arrested him on suspicion of driving under the influence of a substance other than alcohol.

The type of drug McDonald is alleged to have used has not been specified. By the definition of California law, it could be any narcotic or prescription drug or even an over-the-counter drug.

The Rams decided to hold McDonald out of their team workouts in June but allowed him to return for the start of training camp in late July, even though a decision on charges had not been reached.

At the time of McDonald’s arrest, the Rams declined to comment. McDonald also declined to comment on the specifics of the incident and said only he had been involved in a car accident.