ST. LOUIS — The St. Louis Rams have released veteran linebacker and former University of Hawai'i Warrior Pisa Tinoisamoa, the team's leading tackler last season.

Coach Steve Spagnuolo made the surprise announcement in a statement released yesterday, calling it a "difficult decision based on a lot of factors." He did not elaborate and the Rams did not return messages seeking comment.

Tinoisamoa is a six-year veteran who led the team with 135 tackles in 2008. He was a second-round draft choice, the 43rd overall selection in the 2002 draft. That season, he had 121 tackles to lead the team.

BRONCOS

RB WALKER SIGNS

Denver announced yesterday they have signed free agent running back Darius Walker.

Walker signed with the Houston Texans as a free agent in 2007 and played four games.

He dressed for five games with the Texans last season but did not play before joining St. Louis' practice squad for a week on Nov. 4. He rejoined Houston's practice squad on Nov. 25.

VIKINGS

IT'S FAVRE FROM OVER

Is Brett Favre healthy and hungry enough to end his retirement again? And how badly do the Minnesota Vikings want him?

The questions and confusion continued yesterday.

ESPN, again citing unnamed sources, reported X-rays of Favre's injured right shoulder have been sent to the Vikings for evaluation. The network said Favre will play for Minnesota if it's determined he doesn't need major surgery. If he does, according to the source, he'll stay retired.

But Favre's agent, Bus Cook, told a different ESPN reporter he was unaware of any X-rays being sent to the team. Cook reiterated that the quarterback has not told him he wants to come back for a 19th NFL season.

"Brett would have to be mentally ready to go play, physically ready to go play, and want to go play," Cook told the network, "and I'm not sure all three of those things are there right now."

SAINTS

ROOKIE HURTS ACHILLES

New Orleans Saints rookie linebacker Stanley Arnoux ruptured his left Achilles' tendon yesterday in the first of five rookie minicamp practices at Metaire, La.

The fourth-round pick from Wake Forest will have surgery next week and pending the surgery, a rehabilitation timetable will be announced later. Most Achilles' tendons tears require being sidelined for a full season.

COLLEGE NEWS

ACC

GMAC BOWL ADDED

The Atlantic Coast Conference said yesterday the Mobile, Ala.-based GMAC Bowl will replace the Humanitarian Bowl in Boise, Idaho, in the conference's postseason lineup.

The GMAC Bowl will have the ninth pick of eligible ACC teams this year, while the EagleBank Bowl in Washington, D.C., which had the final pick last year, moves up to the No. 8 pick of ACC teams.