Coach Steve Spagnuolo made the surprise announcement in a statement released on Friday, 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.