LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Former Arkansas and NFL running back Cedric Cobbs has been sentenced to three years of probation on a drug-related charge, avoiding prison time after telling a federal judge that he’s undergoing treatment for a brain disease.

Cobbs faced up to four years in prison after pleading guilty to using a phone to facilitate a drug offense. In court papers, Cobbs says he’s receiving inpatient treatment for chronic traumatic encephalopathy, which has been tied to repeated brain trauma and is associated with memory loss, depression and progressive dementia.

Cobbs got probation and 150 hours of community service Thursday. Prosecutors didn’t oppose the sentence for Cobbs, who played for Arkansas from 1999 to 2003 and one season each for New England and Denver Broncos.