Oakland Raiders linebacker Rolando McClain was arrested earlier this week in his hometown of Decatur, Alabama on charges including discharging a firearm.

McClain, who is a captain of the Raiders defence, is alleged to have held a gun to the victim's head and firing it into the air. The victim had been in a previous altercation with a separate individual and was bleeding when he spoke to police.

"I can tell you that Rolando McClain is under arrest," Decatur Police Lt. John Crouch told CSN on Thursday.

"He's been charged with third degree assault, menacing, reckless endangerment and discharging a firearm in city limits. He is still in custody."

McClain, 22, is currently recovering from an ankle injury and is not expected to be active against the Miami Dolphins on Sunday. He had returned home to attend his grandfather's funeral.