Shawne Merriman Decides Playing With A Mangled Knee Might Not Be The Best Idea For A Long Career

“It felt good,” linebacker Shawne Merriman said of his left knee. “But with that adrenaline going, you never really know. Over the next couple of days, I'll assess how I feel. As of right now, I'm getting ready for Game 2.” That's what Shawne Merriman said Sunday, after the Chargers lost to the Carolina Panthers courtesy of a rejuvenated Jake Dellhomme and Rosario Dawson, giving everyone the impression that the All-World linebacker was serious about gimping through the season with two torn ligaments in his left knee. He lied. Merriman finished the game with two tackles, a couple of hurries and a lot of ice packs, and finally decided yesterday that he's going to have reconstructive surgery on one of his tears, shutting him down for the rest of the season. Merriman has apparently been playing with a torn Posterior Cruciate Ligament since 2005 and late last season he ripped up the Lateral Collateral Ligament. The Chargers plan to use second-year linebacker Jyles Tucker in his place for the time being, but are also reportedly looking into ex-Pat Roosevelt Colvin. "Lights Out", Shuts Off [San Diego Union Tribune]