National Football League

MERRIMAN NO LONGER IN THEIR FUTURE

Published Oct. 14, 2010 10:11 p.m. ET

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SAN DIEGO - The locker room stall was essentially untouched, with one notable exception.

Helmet, sweats, practice gear, pads were all in place. So were the two red nameplates that were souvenirs from Pro Bowl appearances.

But the blue one in the middle, the one that signified that Shawne Merriman was a Charger? Gone, for good.

Merriman, once an All-Pro linebacker who earned the nickname "Lights Out" for his frequent sacks, was placed on the "Reserve-Injured" list Wednesday. Since Merriman's calf injury was given a "minor injury designation," the Chargers must release him when he is medically cleared to play.

San Diego general manager A.J. Smith explained it as a case of finally moving on, after waiting on Merriman's health for several weeks.

Merriman developed an Achilles' heel injury two days after reporting to training camp late, and he has had a strained calf the past three weeks. He has missed two games in the Chargers' 2-3 start and played more than a handful of snaps in just one of the other three.

"Shawne has had a tough couple of years, trying to stay healthy," Smith said. "It's been an unfortunate situation for him and for us.

"It's a clean break. We did (try to wait it out) in the beginning. We could be positive and say we're going to continue to do that. But we decided, no, we're going to move on, get some players and move forward. And as soon as he's healthy, whenever the doctors and our rehab people determine that, he'll be able to move on with his career."

Merriman's sole public communication, a statement released by the sports management firm that represents him, stressed that this isn't the end, just the end in San Diego.

"I am approaching this situation as an opportunity to grow as a player and to bring my leadership and talents to a new organization," he said. "I am ready for the next chapter in my career."

Selected with the 12th pick in the 2005 draft, which was acquired in the Eli Manning trade with the Giants the previous year, Merriman recorded 39 1/2 sacks in his first three seasons and made the Pro Bowl each of those years. He had a career high 17 in 2006 despite being suspended four games for a violation of the league's performance-enhancer policy.

But he wasn't the same after trying to play his way through a knee injury at the start of the 2008 season, only to shut it down after one game and undergo surgery.

He played 14 games in his return last season but had just four sacks and was nowhere close to the player he'd been before the knee injury.

Merriman had five tackles and no sacks this season.

"Not having him, it's almost like playing with 44 men on the roster," head coach Norv Turner said. "It's been hard on Shawne, and it's been hard on us."

His main impact has been in the locker room, as a friend, teammate and mentor.

"I was a little intimidated by him when I came in as a rookie," safety Eric Weddle said. "But I have nothing but high regard for Shawne. He's been a great teammate, a great person, a good friend to me.

"Even though he hasn't played a lot for us this year, he's been a great teammate for us."

Chargers Notes

Left tackle Marcus McNeill, eligible to play this week at St. Louis, got his five-year contract extension done Wednesday. The deal, which kicks in next season, reportedly calls for $24.5 million guaranteed and a potential total of $48.5 million.

To replace Merriman, the Chargers signed outside linebacker Antwan Barnes, a fourth-year player waived Saturday by Philadelphia.

Rookie Mike Windt will be the team's fifth long snapper this season. Ethan Albright was released.

Reach Jim Alexander at 951- 368-9543 or jalexander@PE.com

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