The Associated Press

DENVER - Tight ends O.J. Santiago and Patrick Hape signed Thursday with the Denver Broncos, who might lose Shannon Sharpe to retirement.

Santiago, a six-year veteran, spent last season with Oakland, catching five passes for 69 yards in 12 games. Hape, also an unrestricted free agent, returns for his fourth season with the Broncos and eighth in the NFL. In 108 career games, he has 43 receptions for 252 yards and seven touchdowns.

Sharpe, the NFL's career leader in touchdowns, receptions and yardage by a tight end, is expected to announce soon whether he will retire or return for a 14th season. He wants to give the team time to plan before the draft later this month.

STEELERS: Offensive tackle Barrett Brooks re-signed with Pittsburgh, who also withdrew their $628,000 qualifying offer to offensive tackle Mathias Nkwenti.

Nkwenti was a fourth-round draft pick in 2001, but played in only one game in his three seasons in Pittsburgh - Oct. 12 at Denver. He now becomes a free agent.

Brooks, a nine-year veteran, agreed to a one-year contract. He signed with the Steelers on Oct. 22, after Nkwenti went on the injured reserve list with a back injury, but did not play. Brooks previously played for the Eagles, making 46 starts for them from 1995-98.

BUCCANEERS: Tampa Bay re-signed safety John Howell and signed tight end Doug Zeigler.

Howell has played for the Bucs the past three years, appearing in 38 games as a reserve safety and special teams player. He played in eight games last season before being put on injured reserve with a hamstring injury Nov. 11.

The 6-foot-4, 257-pound Zeigler played at Mississippi.

RAIDERS: Oakland signed free agent cornerback Denard Walker. Walker, a seven-year veteran, spent last season with the Minnesota Vikings, where he had 58 tackles and one interception.

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