PITTSBURGH -- Pittsburgh Steelers receiver and Super Bowl MVP Santonio Holmes has waived his right to a preliminary hearing on a misdemeanor marijuana charge stemming from an October traffic stop near the Mellon Arena.

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Holmes didn't comment after his brief appearance in Pittsburgh City Court.

The decision means Holmes must stand trial on the charge, or work out a plea agreement with Allegheny County prosecutors. He remains free on bond.

Pittsburgh police said Holmes has three marijuana-filled cigars in his vehicle when he was pulled over Oct. 23. Police said they smelled burning marijuana when they stopped Holmes, who was cooperative and alerted officers to the drugs.

"We waived to court today," said Holmes' attorney, Robert Del Greco. "His charges at the magistrate level, very limited jurisdiction. Very limited authority."

Del Greco said he plans to challenge the summary charges brought against Holmes.

The 24-year-old player is charged with possession of a small amount of marijuana. The charge carries 30 days probation and a fine, far less than the one-year maximum for other third-degree misdemeanors in Pennsylvania.

"If found guilty of a misdemeanor drug offense, the NFL would review the facts and determine an appropriate punishment for each specific situation," said NFL spokesman Greg Aiello. "There is no across-the-board type of discipline. Sometimes, no punishment is warranted. Sometimes, the player will be subject to a fine of an undetermined amount.

"Sometimes, the player will be enrolled in our drug program. When and if they are, their enrollment (is) kept confidential and never made available to the public unless the player violates the program in some way."

After continuing Holmes' bond, Judge Gene Ricciardi took a moment to commend the wide receiver on what he did after his breathtaking Super Bowl-winning catch.

"I don't know that he meant it to be made public, but he commended him on the philanthropic effort he made in relation to his gloves," said Del Greco.

Holmes auctioned off the gloves he wore in the Super Bowl, giving all of the proceeds to a sickle cell disease charity.

Holmes' 6-year-old son is diagnosed with the disease.