National Football League

Chargers waive longtime LB Merriman

Published Nov. 2, 2010 1:00 a.m. ET

foxsports

Vikings wide receiver Randy Moss is not the only Pro Bowler who hit the NFL’s waiver wire Tuesday afternoon.

Linebacker Shawne Merriman was scheduled to take a formality physical with the Chargers on Tuesday and provided he passed for his injured calf would be waived by San Diego, FOXsports.com has learned.

Later in the day, he was put on waivers.

Merriman was placed on special injured reserve list earlier this season that called for the team to release him upon him passing a physical. Like Moss, because Merriman was released after the NFL’s trade deadline he is required to go through the waiver process rather than become an immediate unrestricted free agent.

If a team claims him, he is owed approximately $1.7-$1.8 million in remaining salary for this season. The former Pro Bowler will become an unrestricted free agent after this season.

The NFL waiver order as of Tuesday would be Bills, Panthers, Cowboys, 49ers and Broncos. The 49ers nearly had a trade worked out for Merriman this offseason and the Cowboys went back and forth between choosing Merriman and DeMarcus Ware during their NFL Draft. The next two teams are the Lions and then, ironically, Moss’ most recent former team, the Vikings.

If teams place a claim, whichever has the worst record of those participants will be awarded the player.