Merriman deciding whether to play or have surgery
Saturday, August 23, 2008
Reports: Merriman deciding whether to play or have surgery
ESPN.com news service
Chargers linebacker Shawne Merriman returned to San Diego on Saturday and told the team he has two torn ligaments in his ailing left knee, two San Diego-area newspapers reported.
Merriman said doctors in New York and Alabama, where he sought second and third opinions on the injury this week, told him he could suffer a career-ending injury if he plays without undergoing surgery.
Merriman told the North County Times he has tears in the posterior cruciate and lateral collateral ligaments. If he decides to have surgery, it is yet to be determined if it will be minor -- allowing him to play at some point this season -- or major reconstructive surgery, which would keep him out for 2008.
The LCL stabilizes the knee on the outside while the PCL keeps the shin bone from sliding too far backward.
Merriman told the Times said he is going to see a doctor in Miami early next week and will make a decision soon after.
"I've been seeing some really great doctors over the past few days and they've all said the same things about the injury," Merriman told the Times. "[They're] kind of surprised that I've been playing with it up to this point."
Shawne Merriman
Shawne Merriman has two torn ligaments in his left knee.
Merriman wants to play football this season.
"That's what I want to do," Merriman told the Times. "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."
The Chargers' medical diagnosis is that Merriman can play when the season starts Sept. 7. Coach Norv Turner's talks with Merriman buoyed those hopes.
"Based on my conversation, I'm optimistic," Turner told the San Diego Union-Tribune.
Merriman has an NFL-best 39½ sacks since 2005, when he entered the league. He also won defensive rookie of the year honors in 2005.
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Saturday, August 23, 2008
Reports: Merriman deciding whether to play or have surgery
ESPN.com news service
Chargers linebacker Shawne Merriman returned to San Diego on Saturday and told the team he has two torn ligaments in his ailing left knee, two San Diego-area newspapers reported.
Merriman said doctors in New York and Alabama, where he sought second and third opinions on the injury this week, told him he could suffer a career-ending injury if he plays without undergoing surgery.
Merriman told the North County Times he has tears in the posterior cruciate and lateral collateral ligaments. If he decides to have surgery, it is yet to be determined if it will be minor -- allowing him to play at some point this season -- or major reconstructive surgery, which would keep him out for 2008.
The LCL stabilizes the knee on the outside while the PCL keeps the shin bone from sliding too far backward.
Merriman told the Times said he is going to see a doctor in Miami early next week and will make a decision soon after.
"I've been seeing some really great doctors over the past few days and they've all said the same things about the injury," Merriman told the Times. "[They're] kind of surprised that I've been playing with it up to this point."
Shawne Merriman
Shawne Merriman has two torn ligaments in his left knee.
Merriman wants to play football this season.
"That's what I want to do," Merriman told the Times. "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."
The Chargers' medical diagnosis is that Merriman can play when the season starts Sept. 7. Coach Norv Turner's talks with Merriman buoyed those hopes.
"Based on my conversation, I'm optimistic," Turner told the San Diego Union-Tribune.
Merriman has an NFL-best 39½ sacks since 2005, when he entered the league. He also won defensive rookie of the year honors in 2005.
ESPN.com: Help | PR Media Kit | Sales Media Kit | Report a Bug | Contact Us | News Archive | Site Map | ESPN Shop | Jobs at ESPN | Supplier Information
©2008 ESPN Internet Ventures. Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and Safety Information/Your California Privacy Rights are applicable to you. All rights reserved.
