NFL roundup: Tomlinson to retire as a Charger

Running back LaDainian Tomlinson reportedly will sign a contract with the San Diego Chargers and then announce his retirement Monday.

Tomlinson, 33, who played nine of his 11 seasons in San Diego, will make the announcement at a scheduled press conference, UT San Diego reported Sunday.

The five-time Pro Bowl selection will step down as the best running back in the team's history. In 2006 he set NFL single-season records for most rushing touchdowns in an NFL season (28) and most touchdowns (31). He rushed 145 scores (152 overall), second to Emmitt Smith in NFL history.

The former TCU back rushed for 13,684 yards, which ranks fifth on the NFL's all-time list. He ran for 12,490 yards and 138 touchdowns with San Diego. He also threw for seven touchdowns on 12 career passes with the Chargers for a 146.9 quarterback rating.

The only achievement Tomlinson didn't reach was a Super Bowl victory. The Chargers were 3-5 in the playoffs during his seasons in San Diego, getting to the 2007 AFC Championship Game before losing to the Patriots.

He finished his career by signing a free-agent deal with the New York Jets but his statistics and his role had dwindled. He rushed for 914 yards in 2010 in helping the Jets to the AFC Championship, but he gained only 280 yards last season.

--- Anthony Hargrove's agent said Sunday that the evidence that led to his client's suspension was based on "semantics."

In a lengthy statement released to numerous media outlets, Phil Williams criticized NFL commissioner Roger Goodell for the suspension of the New Orleans Saints defensive tackle and the rest of the individuals implicated in the "bounty" investigation. The inquiry led to suspensions and sanctions of Saints management, players and coaches.

Williams' statement asked the NFL a series of questions about its investigation and accused the league of a "cloak and dagger approach to the inquiry.

The suspended players are scheduled to meet Monday with Goodell to appeal their suspensions.

---Pittsburgh Steelers running back Rashard Mendenhall and nose tackle Casey Hampton reportedly will start the season on the Physically Unable to Perform list.

Both players are coming off major knee injuries and Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert told the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review he doesn't expect to have them at the start of the season.

Mendenhall suffered a torn ACL in his right knee on Jan. 1 and Hampton sustained an ACL tear on Jan. 8.

Hampton is a five-time Pro Bowl selection with 350 tackles while Mendenhall has run for at least 928 yards the past three seasons.

---Brian Banks, who spent five years in jail on rape charges before being exonerated, will work out for the 49ers on Monday.

He attended a Seahawks minicamp for two days, but Seattle declined to offer the 26 year old a contract because Banks isn't in football shape yet. Banks, who was exonerated last month when the alleged victim recanted 10 years after he was convicted, has also worked out for the Chiefs and Chargers.

Banks had been offered a scholarship by USC, but the rape conviction when he was in high school forced his incarceration. He then played one season of football at Long Beach City College after his release in 2007, but he was forced to wear a tracking device, which ended his football career until his conviction was overturned last month.