Logic Prevails; Merriman Opts For Season Ending Surgery
September 9, 2008 by Brandon Campbell
Filed under Chargers, NFL Football
After almost being non-existent in the season opener against Carolina last Sunday, Shawne Merriman has made the decision to proceed with reconstructive surgery on two torn ligaments in his left knee. The loss of the 24 year old is obviously a huge blow to the Chargers Super Bowl hopes, as the three time pro bowl nominee is one of the defensive leaders for the Chargers both on and off the field. The Chargers will place Merriman on the injured reserve later this week, and it’s expected he will be looking at a 6 to 7 month recovery process.
The San Diego Chargers will immediately promote second year OLB Jyles Tucker to the starting lineup, and the 24 year old product from Wake Forest will be on the field this Sunday against the Broncos. I’m not going to try and argue for a second that Tucker can replace Merriman, but he does possess the same athletic prowless that made Merriman so successful in the Chargers defensive system. That raw athletic ability was on display last year in week 17 when Tucker won the AFC defensive player of the week award, recording 3 sacks, 2 forced fumbles and a touchdown against the Oakland Raiders. You have to acknowledge the forsight of A.J. Smith in this situation, who recently signed Tucker to a 5 year contract extension worth $14 million.
I’m sure questions about how Merriman and the Chargers handled this situation will now begin, as you can’t help but wonder why Merriman didn’t heed the advice of medical professionals and have the surgery during the off season. Either way, the Chargers will now have to turn their focus towards playing the rest of the season without one of their best defensive players.
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September 9th, 2008 at 4:52 pm
so much for my on air prediction last week that Merriman would last 4 weeks or more with the injury….
September 9th, 2008 at 4:53 pm
This is excellent news in my opinion! It would have been tragic to see his young career cut short because of an unwise decision.
September 9th, 2008 at 4:53 pm
My Prediction: Jyles Tucker takes his spot and never looks back, replacing Merriman. Merriman bolts next year when the Chargers don’t resign him.
September 9th, 2008 at 4:57 pm
When you look at it from the perspective of the player, I can’t even imagine why he would consider risking his future earning potential by attempting to play through this injury. I admire his heart for even considering it, but I’m glad he finally made the right decision for his career and long term health.
September 9th, 2008 at 5:00 pm
That’s a pretty realistic scenario, especially when you consider that the Chargers management team will be forced to make some difficult decisions during the next couple seasons with all these expiring contracts.
When you factor in the uncertainty over how Merriman will recover from a major reconstructive knee surgery, and this is a very good opportunity for Jyles Tucker to establish himself.
September 9th, 2008 at 5:03 pm
I couldn’t agree more. One season vs career = no contest.
Smart move Merriman. As much as I don’t want the Chargers to do well, being in Oaklands division, I even more so, do not want to see young players, with any amount of talent, have a career ending injury of any kind.
September 9th, 2008 at 5:46 pm
He gave it a good go, but smart move. I’m surprised he was even able to play one game, despite his personality this guy is as tough as they come.
September 9th, 2008 at 7:40 pm
Think Tiger Woods hobbled through a golf course on leg to win a tournament and was considered a hero, Merriman played football on a knee with two torn ligaments. If he is available in a year like some people are suggesting than if I am any team I try to make it happen his reason for trying to play was to achieve the goals he had with his teammates.
I want a guy who is this talented and wants to win this bad…
September 9th, 2008 at 7:54 pm
Age is on his side! 24 years old and the guy is a specimen. I am sure he will recover nicely. But this is a blow to the Chargers.