NFL | San Diego linebacker Merriman won't be charged

SAN DIEGO — District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis on Friday dismissed reality TV star Tila Tequila's accusations that San Diego linebacker Shawne Merriman choked her and threw her to the ground early Sunday while she was trying to leave his suburban home.

Merriman, 25, was arrested after Tequila signed a citizen's arrest warrant accusing him of battery and false imprisonment. Both are felonies.

Dumanis decided not to charge Merriman after her office spent three days reviewing reports from the San Diego County Sheriff's Department.

"After a thorough review of the investigation into the Sept. 6, 2009, incident at the Poway home of Shawne Merriman, our office has determined there is insufficient evidence to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that any crime was committed," Dumanis said in a statement. "This case is now closed. No further comment will be made."

San Diego opens its season Monday night against the Raiders in Oakland. It will be Merriman's first regular-season game since having knee surgery after the 2008 opener.

Minnesota DTs

prevail in court

MINNEAPOLIS — A federal appeals court cleared the way for Minnesota Vikings Pat Williams and Kevin Williams to play all season, despite the league's attempts to suspend the defensive tackles for violating its anti-doping policy.

Commissioner Roger Goodell said the league is troubled by the ruling.

"It is putting in jeopardy a drug program that has been put in front of the entire world as being one of the highest standards in all of sports," Goodell said. "It puts in jeopardy that players in Minnesota in any sport — this could affect other sports — are subject to a different standard than in the other 49 states. You recognize that it is a fairness question for all the athletes."

Goodell said the league is considering its next step, which could include an appeal, a trial in state court, or taking the issue to Congress. The Williamses tested positive for a banned substance last year.

Notes

• Defensive lineman Richard Seymour, traded from New England to Oakland last weekend, reportedly has received a letter informing him he has five days to report and take a physical.

ESPN reported Seymour is expected to fly to Oakland and arrive in time to play against the Chargers.

• Fire up the backyard grill and flip on the television, Cincinnati Bengals and Arizona Cardinals fans. You can see your team's game at your home Sunday.

Cincinnati and Arizona announced their season openers sold out in time to avoid a local blackout. Meanwhile, the Raiders — who haven't sold out — received a 24-hour extension from the league.

• Left tackle Jammal Brown of the New Orleans Saints has undergone hip surgery, a procedure team officials say could keep him off the field for several weeks.

• Pittsburgh's 13-10 overtime victory over visiting Tennessee on Thursday night on NBC attracted 20.9 million viewers, the most since the NFL Kickoff Game concept was introduced in 2002.

The 12.8 final rating was the highest for an NFL Kickoff Game since 2003, when a New York Jets-Washington game got a 12.9 rating.

The Pittsburgh-Tennessee game was the most-viewed sports event since the Super Bowl in February.