POWAY, Calif. -- San Diego Chargers star linebacker Shawne Merriman returned to practice Monday, a day after being arrested and accused of choking and restraining reality TV star Tila Tequila as she tried to leave his Poway 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. Sunday to Merriman's house in the 12000 block of Sage Crest Drive in Poway, 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. He was released shortly after 11 a.m.

Tequila was taken to Palomar hospital. Her condition was not immediately made 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."

Caldwell said she wasn't sure if Merriman had been drinking. Macaluso said witnesses he spoke with said Merriman had ordered water three or four times when his group was at a downtown San Diego club before going to his house. The attorney said none of Merriman's teammates were at his house.

Downtown San Diego nightclub Stingaree, released the following statement Sunday: "Stingaree can confirm that Shawne Merriman and Tila Tequila arrived at Stingaree on Saturday evening together and joined a birthday celebration with friends already going on in the Penthouse. Merriman and Tequila stayed until closing in the early hours of Sunday morning. They seemed in good spirits throughout the evening and were enjoying themselves. There was no outward indication of any problem between the two of them."

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.

However, on her Twitter account, Tequila wrote the following late Monday afternoon: "If u or some1 u know is being abused or hit.. Tell on em"

Shawne Merriman released this statement Monday to FoxSports.com:

"On September 6, 2009 the San Diego Sheriff's Department responded to a citizen's complaint that was initiated by Tila Nguyen (aka Tila Tequila). I was taken into custody based upon that complaint. At the time, I was concerned about her welfare given the intoxicated state she appeared to be in and I encouraged her to stay until safe transportation could be provided.

"We would all do our best to help a friend if we considered their actions to be detrimental to their personal safety. I in no way caused any harm to Ms. Nguyen, however, paramedics were called and she was examined but no injuries were reported. She was released and has since returned to Los Angeles, California.

"There have been no charges filed against me. I want to thank the San Diego Sheriff's Department for their professionalism. I will continue to cooperate fully with the Department, and I look forward to clearing my name regarding these false allegations. I want to put this behind me so I can continue to focus on a successful season for the San Diego Chargers."

There had been considerable Twitter chatter between Tequila and Merriman during the last two months. She tweeted several times about going to the Chargers' game Friday night and a party she held afterward at a downtown club, including:

-- "Im the Head Cheerleader Prom Queen and (at)shawnemerriman is the Prom King! hahaha! LETS GOOO! LIGHTS OUT! SAN DIEGO I WILL SEE U TOMORROW!"

Merriman was the 12th overall pick out of Maryland in the 2005 draft, and had 39 1/2 sacks in his first three seasons. The three-time Pro Bowl selection has been getting back into shape after missing nearly all of last season following knee surgery.

The Chargers, picked by some as Super Bowl favorites, open the regular season a week from Monday night at Oakland. Players had been off since after Friday night's exhibition finale against San Francisco.

Merriman practiced with the team on Monday, then said he's convinced he'll be cleared.

"I think when it all surfaces, it will be a different situation. Period," Merriman said.

Teammate Shaun Phillips told 10News, "Shawne is one of my good friends. When he wants to give me details, he will. He's a big boy, he's been in a predicament before. He'll be professional."

Merriman told 10News off-camera that he informally answered questions from his teammates Monday morning.

"Our team has battled through distractions and anything that has been thrown at us," Merriman said.

"It's disappointing to hear about the issue involving Shawne Merriman," Chargers general manager A.J. Smith said in statement. "We'll continue to monitor the situation and let the legal process run its course."

Smith didn't return a call seeking further comment.

Other Chargers In Trouble

Smith often speaks of signing "character" players, yet the Chargers have had their share of embarrassing off-field problems in recent seasons.

In early January, wide receiver Vincent Jackson was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence on State Route 52 near Kearny Mesa.

Jackson's incident happened several days before the team's season-ending playoff defeat against Pittsburgh. The star wideout entered a not guilty plea to the charge, and his case is on appeal until after the 2009 season.

In February, defensive lineman Jamal Williams was arrested on State Route 94 on suspicion of driving under the influence. Williams' attorney said the Pro Bowl lineman tested below the legal limit.

Williams pleaded guilty to two traffic violations -- speeding and making an illegal lane change. As part of the plea deal, Williams was instructed to attend traffic school and pay almost $500 in fines.

In April, Phillips was cited for misdemeanor battery following an altercation at the Ivy Hotel in downtown San Diego.

According to a police report, a brawl broke out at the rooftop bar where Phillips was accused of striking a security guard in the face.

Weeks earlier, a security guard at the Stingaree nightclub accused Phillips of punching and choking him.

Both cases were dropped for lack of evidence.

In 2006, there were seven run-ins with the law by San Diego players, including linebacker Steve Foley's shooting by an off-duty police officer who suspected him of drunken driving.

Merriman was suspended four games for testing positive for steroids in 2006, and linebacker Stephen Cooper was suspended by the NFL for the first four games of the 2008 season after testing positive for a banned stimulant.

Smith reportedly has been unhappy with Merriman's extracurricular activities, and there's been speculation the Chargers will let him leave when he's eligible to become an unrestricted free agent. Merriman has various business ventures and is enamored with the Los Angeles social scene. While on injured reserve last year he flew back and forth to Los Angeles once a week to appear on a football preview show.