San Francisco 49ers linebacker Ahmad Brooks has pleaded not guilty to sexual battery.
Attorney Josh Cohen entered the plea Tuesday in Santa Clara County Superior Court; Brooks wasn't in attendance.
Brooks is charged with groping an unconscious woman during a late-night gather at former teammate Ray McDonald's house in December.
A woman claims she was intoxicated when she fell and hit her head on McDonald's hot tub before passing out. She alleged that Brooks groped her and then McDonald raped her.
The woman filed a sexual assault lawsuit against Brooks earlier this year.
McDonald was released by the 49ers but Brooks remains on the team and appeared in all three games this year.
Brooks is due back in court on Oct. 28.
NBC Bay Area's Rhea Mahbubani contributed to this report.
