CHARGERS: Lights back on for Bolts

Despite recommendations of four doctors, Merriman to play with two torn knee ligaments

By JAY PARIS - Staff Writer | Wednesday, August 27, 2008 10:28 PM PDT ∞

SAN DIEGO ---- The Chargers finally exhaled Wednesday with the news that Shawne Merriman will play this season.

''Obviously, it was a big relief for a lot of us,'' running back LaDainian Tomlinson said. "We all know what Shawne brings to this team, especially the defense. He's an impact player, a difference-maker.''

Merriman, who has torn posterior cruciate and lateral collateral ligaments in his left knee, made his decision after visiting with four specialists in the last week.

While acknowledging the increasing pain he has felt in the damaged area, Merriman took exception to those speculating that he would be putting his career at risk by playing.

"It's not career-threatening,'' Merriman stressed. "I was just repeating the question and somehow that was the one they picked up.''

The Chargers had been in limbo, and the focus of the national media, as they awaited Merriman's verdict. They got the result they wanted, and now aim for the Sept. 7 season opener ---- with Merriman expected to play ---- after Friday's final exhibition game.

"I already knew it ---- that's 'Lights' ---- and that's his whole demeanor,'' Jyles Tucker, a backup linebacker who parlayed Merriman's situation into a long-term contract, said in reference to Merriman's nickname of "Lights Out."

"I don't think anything would stop him from getting out on the field. That is what he does. I knew he would be back, to be honest with you. I just didn't want to say anything.''

Tucker's stance mirrored that of Chargers teammates. But Merriman heard outsiders questioning his sanity.

Playing the demanding position of linebacker in the manner Merriman approaches it ---- with two torn ligaments?

''How do you tell a warrior to sit down?'' Tomlinson said. "That's what he is, a warrior ---- he's trained for this. It's hard to tell a guy to sit down.''

Merriman said he was coy when asking doctors about his health.

"(I'd) start the conversation, 'I want to play, what do I need to do?' '' Merriman said. "And as long as you start the conversation off like that, you know what is on the table and you know what is at risk. And that is the reason I am playing.''

Merriman, a three-time Pro Bowler, said he injured the knee last December but was able to play out the season. He underwent offseason surgery to repair a loose meniscus after the Pro Bowl, but said at that time the PCL wasn't an issue.

"It was at a point that I wasn't sure if I needed it or not,'' he said. "I thought I put myself in the best position to play and I felt good working out this offseason. It didn't become a problem until I started to do a few more things.

"It's complicated ---- you can ask guys around the league, and a PCL injury is not that serious until something else happens to it.''

Merriman is willing to take that chance and avoid the six- to seven-month recovery time that comes with having the PCL repaired. The thought of a Chargers Super Bowl parade passing by with Merriman sitting on the curb wasn't pleasing.

"You want to play football for as long as you can, and as long as your body can,'' linebacker Marques Harris said. "But at the same time, this is a great year for us, and obviously Shawne knows how good we should be and how far we potentially can go.''

Merriman said the bond with his teammates is stronger than his two damaged knee ligaments.

"What I feel in the locker room with those guys is more than teammates, but friends I will probably have the rest of my life,'' Merriman said. "Regardless how that turns out to be, I will enjoy every last second of it.''

Merriman's impact can't be minimized, illustrated by his league-leading 39 1/2 sacks the last three years.

"You just kept your fingers crossed that he was going to be able to play,'' Tomlinson said. "But I think in the back of all our minds, knowing Shawne, we know what was in his heart and that he really wanted to play, and that any cost possible he was going to find a way to get out there on that field.''

Coach Norv Turner said Merriman's play will have to be "managed.''

"We are not going to put him on the field if he's not able to go out and perform, and he is not going to want to be out there if he doesn't feel like he can perform,'' Turner said. "I see him going out and playing. Playing on first and second downs and playing on third downs and rushing the passer. If it means reducing his snaps at different times or picking specific situations where he doesn't need to be on the field, that is what we will do.''

Turner said he has yet to see a dropoff from Merriman, despite the injury.

"The days he practiced out here, he was going 100 percent, he looked like Shawne Merriman to me,'' Turner said.

Merriman knows he will be in the crosshairs of his rivals, eager to smack a knee that could revolt at any moment.

"It's a game of football, and I think sometimes people forget that,'' said Merriman, who will continue to wear a brace in games. "People still chop block. Am I not expecting them to chop block because I have a brace on? That's what you do in football.

"Any good team will always point to the player who they think will cause distractions before the play starts and I still think that will be the case.

"I know what's on the table. I know what I have to do, and we set a goal, and right now my goal is to be out there week one against Carolina and play.''

Not only does Merriman risk a significant knee injury by playing on a leg that's compromised, but his contract expires after the 2009 season. If his knee holds up until near the end of this season and then blows out, he could jeopardize his '09 production, which could limit his ability to maximize his next contract.

Merriman said he prefers to stay with the Chargers, but that an extension has not been discussed.

"I plan on (being a Charger) forever,'' Merriman said. "(But) that's not my decision. My decision is to go out and play football until my time is up, whenever that is.''

General manager A.J. Smith did not return a call seeking comment.

Merriman confirmed that all four doctors he consulted recommended surgery.

"The decision was left up to me to play,'' he said. "If you give a football player a decision to play, you know I'm going to play.''

Asked what fans can expect, he said: "Same old Shawne Merriman. That is my hope. ... To be as simple as possible, I just want to play football. That's what it comes down to. I know what's on the table, I know what's on the line. I put a lot of work in this and I want to play.''

Chargers notes

LB Shawne Merriman was eased into practice Wednesday but did enough to impress backup Jyles Tucker. "He looked good out there; he looked real healthy and was making cuts,'' Tucker said. ... LT Marcus McNeill said he's awaiting one more doctor's clearance before returning to practice. McNeill hasn't played in preseason games because of a stinger in the shoulder area. He'll miss Friday's game at San Francisco but remains optimistic that he can start in the season opener on Sept. 7. ... After extending the play of his starters in Monday's win over Seattle, coach Norv Turner plans to use more backups on Friday, with the last roster cut looming the following day.

Contact staff writer Jay Paris at jparis8@aol.com.