Immediately after Sunday's game, Merriman told FOXSports.com the knee was pretty sore, but otherwise felt OK. He gave no indication at that time that he would elect to go this route.
But apparently, the knee did not pass Merriman's test
Week 1 Injuries
Shawne Merriman, San Diego Chargers:
The imposing linebacker finally decides to listen to doctors and have season-ending surgery on his torn left knee ligaments.
Stephen Dunn, Getty Images
Tom Brady, New England Patriots:
The future hall of fame quarterback's 128 consecutive start streak is officially coming to an end as Brady will have season-ending surgery on his injured left knee.
Paul Jasienski, Getty Images
Vince Young, Tennessee Titans:
The young QB sprained his left knee late in the Titans' 17-10 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars.
John Russell, AP
Brodie Croyle, Kansas City Chiefs:
The signal caller was taken out of game in the the third quarter with a bruised right shoulder.
David Eulitt, Kansas City Star / MCT
Maurice Morris, Seattle Seahawks:
Didn't return after hurting his right knee early in the second half.
Rod Mar, Seattle Times / MCT
Marion Barber, Dallas Cowboys:
The running back was taken to the locker room with bruised ribs in the second half against the Cleveland Browns.
Ron T. Ennis, Fort Worth Star-Telegram / MCT
Nate Burleson, Seattle Seahawks
Burleson limped off the field with a left knee injury.
Rick Stewart, Getty Images
This is by all means BREAKING NEWS, but is it really that surprising? Merriman will now have the surgery ... that was recommended by everyone all along. I mean, every single doctor he went to told him trying to play right now was the worst decision he could make, given the circumstances and nature of the injury.
Personally, I felt that Merriman would have been smarter to take the shorter recovery surgery and try and make it back for the playoffs, but at this point, he's laying many millions of dollars on the line if he keeps playing.
Also, considering he knew this could be "career threatening", I can't imagine that after playing on the knee and realizing how a) painful and b) ineffective it was, that he would continue to try and play in 2008.
The loss of Merriman is clearly a huge blow to the Chargers season and their defense, but it doesn't totally doom them; they have plenty of offense and still sport a stout defensive unit. Still, it's going to be tough to replace the
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
9-09-2008 @ 7:54PM
john said...
Good for Merriman. The teams in the NFL have no sense of loyalty, so why risk your career for the spanos's. They would have cut you really fast if you would've hurt yourself more.
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9-09-2008 @ 8:16PM
danny said...
Sorry he's hurt, but glad won't have to see that unsportsman like behavior.
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9-09-2008 @ 8:55PM
Rico said...
I COMPLETELY AGREE with Shawne's decision to pull the plug on this season and get the surgery that was recommended all along. Yes ... it is a big hit for the team to absorb but this is the first of what I am sure will be many GUTCHECKS this season. The rest of the Chargers Defense will just have to STEP IT UP to fill the big hole he leaves as a player AND as an emotional/inspirational leader on our team.
By the way ... the 'lined-out' reference to Shawne's (steroids) energy was pretty class-less, bush-league and unnecessary. That was a cheap shot and the author should be ashamed at making such a stupid remark in an otherwise well-written piece!
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9-09-2008 @ 8:56PM
Bob said...
Guy is a complete goof for even defying the doctors advice.Use your head,yikes....
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9-09-2008 @ 10:26PM
Jim said...
Rico- "our team" What position do "you" play or are you an owner. While you may be a fan of the team, neither the owners nor the players give a rat's a$$ about what you think- just keep buying tickets and NFL gear and they will let you continue to pretend you are part of the team- they need dumbasses like you to make them rich while you keep working atmcdonalds
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9-10-2008 @ 9:04AM
Fred Smorgasbord said...
Merriman is a great player and will undoubtedly be missed by the Chargers. Having said that, let me say: BWHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!
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9-10-2008 @ 8:36AM
BOB said...
jim is a moron.
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9-10-2008 @ 11:03AM
jim said...
bob is a pole smoking jock sniffer
Reply
9-10-2008 @ 3:19PM
Marv said...
Memo to Merriman: No one person is Superman in this league. You're ignorant for thinking you are some superhuman freak and God's gift to NFL football. Quit shootin' up them steroids and maybe just maybe your ligaments won't give out on you, IDIOT. Chargers D now "charge-less" without you! Lights out, say goodnight Shawn, say goodnight.....
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9-10-2008 @ 5:22PM
Chris Emberton said...
they need to change the headline on this article....I read it and it said " Another Pro Bowler to miss the rest of the season" and I am thinking who cares if Pete Weber is gonna miss the PBA season..haha throw NFL in there or something...bottom line is I still clicked on the link to read it....
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9-10-2008 @ 7:43PM
mar said...
Chris,I thought the same thing lol.....I was wondering what pro bowler hurt themselves bowling...
9-10-2008 @ 8:04PM
Geordi said...
Did it ever occur to AOL's tag line writers that a "pro bowler" might just be a professional bowler? A more appropriate tag might have said "NFL pro bowler".
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