Chargers' Merriman will forgo surgery, play with knee injury

[MapleLeaf]

From espn.com

Pro Bowl linebacker Shawne Merriman will forgo knee surgery and play this season for the San Diego Chargers despite the fact he has two torn ligaments in his left knee

"I'm going to play," Merriman texted the San Diego Union-Tribune. "I'll deal with it when it's time to get surgery."

Merriman said Saturday that he has been told by doctors that he could suffer a possible career-ending injury if he attempts to play without having surgery.

Merriman said he has tears in both the posterior cruciate and lateral collateral ligaments. He said doctors agree that he needs surgery to repair the damage.

The Chargers open the regular season Sept. 7 against the Carolina Panthers.

Merriman has made the Pro Bowl in each of his three NFL seasons. He has 39½ sacks in that span, more than any other NFL player.

Not very smart AT ALL in my opinion. You take the year off and fix that so you can still be a dominant player in the years to come. Him doing this here is dumb. And if he gets hurt this year and his career is over I won't feel sympathy for him.

If I were a Charger I would hope front office steps in

 

[eLeMeNOhPe]

isn't this the same Chargers that don't let LT play in the pre-season? haha

 

[.s31t]

Wow. This is <Censored>ing crazy. I dont wanna see this man jeopardize his opportunity to be a future Hall of Famer.

 

[yezzir]

Yeah, interesting decision. I'll agree with you guys that he should've mad sure that he fixed it up before playing, but let him do what he wants.

 

[The Young One]

Stupid ass decision.

 

[jarrod2323]

stupid for 2 reason -- if he gets hurt, he's done
--- opposing teams will know it and fixate on that knee. this sounds bad, but teams don't get paid to lose

 

[Whisper]

Agreed. VERY stupid.
This is supposed to be where the genius of AJ comes in, PLENTY of depth at the LB position. The schedule isn't even that bad this year, take a year off, and let other guys get some time in. Jyles Tucker looks real good filling in for him in. I don't really understand why he's risking this.

 

[A.E]

He is going to lose a step in his game having 2 major ligaments torn in his knee.

I don't think this decision will last long as the pain will only get worse for him as scar tissue builds up in that knee.

 

[.::MC::.]

I respect this man's heart, but his brains, not so much.

 

[Pugz]

STUPID! If he doesn't get any worse the Chargers will bring this injury up come contract time and he'll get hurt thgen. Plus like what J said teams will use this to there leverage.