Should Merriman opt for surgery?

[Kingdom]

No, the question is not "Does Craig Davis suck?" or "Why Oakland Will Never Matter Again?"

Associated Press

Updated: August 23, 2008, 11:20 PM ET

SAN DIEGO -- Chargers Pro Bowl linebacker Shawne Merriman said Saturday he has two torn ligaments in his left knee and has been told by doctors that he could suffer a possible career-ending injury if he attempts to play without having surgery.

Merriman said he has tears in both the posterior cruciate and lateral collateral ligaments. He said doctors agree that he needs surgery to repair the damage.

"It could be career-threatening if I did [play]," Merriman said. "It's a possibility. That possibility is still open."

A course of action has not been decided. Merriman, who will consult with a doctor in Miami early next week before making a decision, has been told reconstructive surgery would keep him out for the 2008 season. Another option is a less-invasive surgery that would allow him to play at some point in the season.

"They've all said the same things about the injury," Merriman said. "[They're] kind of surprised that I've been playing with it up to this point."

ESPN - Merriman deciding whether to play or have surgery - NFL

[HollywoodLeo]

His career would be better off if he gets the surgery now.

[Porter]

Get the damn surgery.

[realmofotalk]

Are you sure there are no nutritional supplements that will make it all better?

He needs to shut it down for the season. The last thing the team needs is a Barbaro case.

[ljshorty89]

I also read somewhere that if he has the surgery, it could still end his career. That's a tough decision to have to make, but I'd just get the damn surgery. It seems like the safer option.

[cjkalt]

Don't ruin your life after football, get the damn surgery

[Kingdom]

Pro Bowl linebacker Shawne Merriman will forgo knee surgery and play this season for the San Diego Chargers despite the fact he has two torn ligaments in his left knee.

"I'm going to play," Merriman texted The San Diego Union-Tribune. "I'll deal with it when it's time to get surgery."

Merriman said Saturday that he has been told by doctors that he could suffer a possible career-ending injury if he attempts to play without having surgery.

Merriman said he has tears in both the posterior cruciate and lateral collateral ligaments. He said doctors agree that he needs surgery to repair the damage.

ESPN - Chargers' Merriman will forgo surgery, play with knee injury - NFL

[ljshorty89]

I don't get this decision. Why risk ending his career when he could be fine if he just took one year off?

[love_that_reefer]

What a dumb dumb!

[NYgiantsfan5689]

HE GOT 4 DIFFERENT DOCTORS TO SAY HE NEEDS SURGERY!!! Isn't that enough to make it clear?? Guess not...

[Kingdom]

Steroids damage brain cells too.

[NYgiantsfan5689]

what baffles me is how the Chargers are letting him do this

[HollywoodLeo]

what baffles me is how the Chargers are letting him do this

My guess is one of two things

Merriman is more than likely absolutely insisting on playing no matter what either way

Either the Chargers are trying to appease him with the contract talks getting ready to come up, all the while realizing it's a risk, but knowing that if they tell him he can't play they may as well kiss him good-bye after his contract is up, whether he's healthy or not.

OR

They've already written him as a Charger off after his contract is up and don't care if Merriman wants to ruin his career because their only concern is their team for this year.

Who knows, though.

I was kinda intrigued to see what Tucker could do.

[henks]

Merriman pulls plug on season, will have surgery - Yahoo! News

Looks like he changed his mind.