DawgTalkers.net Forums DawgTalk Pure Football Forum Merriman weighs options after saying knee ligament is damaged

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Friday, August 22, 2008
Merriman weighs options after saying knee ligament is damaged
ESPN.com news services

SAN DIEGO -- Linebacker Shawne Merriman, who has missed more than a week of Chargers practice because of a sore left knee, is in the process of trying to figure out when he'll be able to play this season -- if at all.

Merriman said Thursday night that he has ligament damage and is evaluating his options. The trouble is "a loose ligament and [I'm] waiting to get more info on what I need to do," Merriman said in an e-mail to the North County Times.

He also told the San Diego Union-Tribune that he tore the knee's posterior cruciate ligament.

"It's finding out what do I need to fix, what I need to do," Merriman told the Union-Tribune by phone. "If it's left up to me, I want to play football. I can't stand sitting out."

His official medical prognosis is not yet known and the Chargers have not commented. The Union-Tribune reported Merriman was in New York and Birmingham, Ala., this week to see specialists, and the player told the newspaper he might see another in Miami before returning to San Diego.

Merriman alluded to playing with pain since the end of last season. Surgery has crossed his mind.

A Pro Bowl player in each of his first three NFL seasons, the 24-year-old Merriman underwent surgery to repair cartilage damage five months ago but has had persistent pain in the knee during training camp. He traveled this week to Birmingham, Ala., so the knee could be examined by Dr. James Andrews, who performed the operation.

Merriman last played in the Aug. 9 preseason opener against Dallas and has not practiced since then.

Chargers coach Norv Turner said Thursday he hoped that Merriman will be able to play on Sept. 7 when the Chargers open their regular season against the Carolina Panthers.

"I think he can be close to 100 percent and get back with some real good rehab work," Turner said. "He's been doing a great job with it and I think he just needs some more time right now."

Merriman has an NFL-best 39½ sacks since 2005, when he entered the league.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.

Oh my God, can you believe the Chargers' luck? God, why do they have to be bitten by the injury bug every single year? I can hardly stand it.

wow; that hurts.

dang it, i have the chargers as my fantasy defense

Wow... that would be a big blow to the Bolts defense if he goes out. However, I don't think it would be wise for him to play with a damaged ligament. Better to get it fixed now so he can extend his career, IMO.

DC, I think that stench is back.

Do steroids damage ligaments? Just wondering.

STERRRRRRRRROIDS

STERRRRRRRRROIDS

Cheaters never prosper.

Yep they do. Just ask LeCharles Bently and Gary Baxter.

yes they do ask the 70's steelers

The Steroid Curtain

I doubt its career ending...as he is practicing in full pads with pain.

Whats his name...OLman from Broncos who does NFL live. Schephreth???

He said he called Merriman and told him to not listen to the SD doctors. They'll tell you about how to be tough and a man and gutsy...then come contract time when your knee is worse and needs surgery, they'll just say sorry. Its an injury that he can play through the season in pain and then get surgery afterwards...it doesn't get worse as a rule (but some do cause further damage elsewhere) and will be his decision to play through it.

If it minor garbage there...he could go on the PUP.
Major he'll be out for the year and should be 100% for 09.
Or he can play in pain and roll the dice for 08.

Schefreth advised him strongly to get it fixed NOW! I think he'll take his advice...if I remember correctly Schefreth holds the record for knee surgeries in the NFL!

JMHO

And I am sure that is what his agent is telling Merriman as well.

Look, if your done, your done. Nothing you can do about that.

At this point the team would rather him earn his cash and help them win, and as you said, next year you might be yesterdays old garbage on a lame leg.

If you are hurt, get it fixed. From a health standpoint and a business standpoint.

It doesn't make sense not to unless you want to end up lame and weaken your negotiating position.

or you end up like peek last year.


(i do realize different talent levels...but nagging injuries curtail high levels of play)

Link

Merriman deciding whether to play or have surgery

Associated Press

SAN DIEGO -- Chargers Pro Bowl linebacker Shawne Merriman said Saturday he has two torn ligaments in his left knee and 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.

"It could be career-threatening if I did [play]," Merriman said. "It's a possibility. That possibility is still open."

A course of action has not been decided. Merriman, who will consult with a doctor in Miami early next week before making a decision, has been told reconstructive surgery would keep him out for the 2008 season. Another option is a less-invasive surgery that would allow him to play at some point in the season.

"They've all said the same things about the injury," Merriman said. "[They're] kind of surprised that I've been playing with it up to this point."

The Chargers open the regular season Sept. 7 against the Carolina Panthers. Merriman wants to play this season.

"That's first and foremost," Merriman said. "That's what I want to do. That's why this decision is even out there still and not already made, because I want to play, period. The question is what should I do? How long should I play with it?

"It's a thousand different options at this point and I'm just trying to make the best one."

Merriman left the team Tuesday to seek opinions from other doctors, a trek that included a visit with renowned surgeon James Andrews on Wednesday in Birmingham, Ala. He said he is seeking as many opinions as he can for a reason.

"I'm just trying to make the best decision possible for the team and for my career," Merriman said.

Coach Norv Turner has remained optimistic all week that Merriman will be able to play this season. He again expressed that hope Saturday.

"Right now, in talking to him, his mind-set is he's doing everything he can to get ready for Carolina, our opener," Turner said. "He just wants to get a little bit more information on his knee."

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.

Apparently, Merriman has decided to ignore the judgement of the FOUR opinions he sought and play with two torn ligaments... I hope he doesn't ruin his own career by doing so.

Linky Dinky Doo

Per ESPN...

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.