SAN DIEGO — San Diego Chargers star outside linebacker Shawne Merriman was arrested yesterday and accused of choking and restraining his girlfriend, reality TV star Tila Tequila, as she tried to leave his suburban home.

Tequila, 27, signed a citizen's arrest warrant, charging Merriman with battery and false imprisonment, San Diego County Sheriff's Lt. Gary Steadman said.

Both are felonies.

Deputies responded about 3:45 a.m. to Merriman's house in Poway, north of San Diego, after a woman called to say she was choked by the player and thrown to the ground when she tried to leave, Sheriff's Department spokesman Jan Caldwell said at a news conference.

Merriman's attorney, Todd Macaluso, disputed Tequila's story and said he's confident Merriman won't be charged by the District Attorney's Office.

"There was absolutely no wrongdoing on the part of Mr. Merriman," Macaluso told The Associated Press by phone. "He essentially was doing what was appropriate under the circumstances in trying to protect the safety of Miss Tequila. There were numerous eyewitnesses that will support his version of the events that transpired at his home."

Merriman, 25, was taken into custody and booked into the central jail at about 8:30 a.m. The three-time Pro Bowl linebacker was released shortly after 11 a.m.

Tequila was taken to a hospital. Her condition was not immediately available.

Caldwell said deputies determined Tequila had been drinking.

Asked if Merriman was trying to keep Tequila from driving drunk, Macaluso said: "We don't want to comment on her conduct. The bottom line is, he did everything in his power to ensure her safety. He hopes she comes forth and tells the truth."

Tequila, whose real name is Tila Nguyen, is best known for "A Shot at Love with Tila Tequila," which ran for two seasons on MTV. The bisexual dating show featured men and women vying for Tequila's affections. She has also modeled for Playboy and other men's magazines.

Scott E. Leemon, an attorney for Tequila, said in a statement that neither she nor her representatives would comment publicly.

RAIDERS

SEYMOUR ACQUIRED

Oakland took a big step toward improving its struggling run defense by acquiring five-time Pro Bowl defensive lineman Richard Seymour from New England yesterday.

The move does not come without its risks as the Raiders gave up a first-round pick in 2011, which could be in the top 10 based on Oakland's recent history, to acquire a lineman who turns 30 next month and is in the final year of a contract paying him $3.7 million this season.

Raiders owner Al Davis wanted immediate help for a defense that has struggled to stop the run in recent seasons. Since going to the Super Bowl following the 2002 season, Oakland has had the worst run defense in the NFL, allowing 141.7 yards per game on the ground and 122 touchdowns rushing. The Raiders have allowed a 100-yard rusher in more than half of their games the past three years.

"It shows the commitment of this organization," defensive end Greg Ellis said. "You can't guarantee we're going to have a great, great season this year. But the commitment is definitely there so players don't have to question that when you're making those kinds of moves to make something happen and hopefully win right now."

Seymour has been a stalwart in New England since being drafted sixth overall in 2001. He played on three Super Bowl winners with the Patriots, recording 39 career sacks and being selected to the Pro Bowl for five straight seasons beginning in 2002.

"From nearly the day he arrived in 2001, Richard Seymour established himself as one of our premier players for nearly a decade," Patriots coach Bill Belichick said yesterday. "His presence has been felt as a force on the field, a respected man off it and a multiyear champion."

BRONCOS

MARSHALL REINSTATED

Denver was granted an extra day to decide who to remove from the roster to make room for reinstated receiver Brandon Marshall.

An NFL spokesman confirmed that the team received a one-day roster exemption for Marshall, whose suspension for conduct detrimental to the team ended yesterday. The Broncos will have to make one roster move today to reach the 53-player limit.

The coaches must decide if Marshall, who didn't appear in any preseason games and barely has practiced, is ready to play in next Sunday's opener at Cincinnati. Denver could use him right away because Jabar Gaffney has a thumb injury.