Shawne Merriman Has a Big Decision to Make

Next week, Chargers talisman and all-around swell guy Shawne Merriman will see a specialist in Miami for a third opinion on his two torn ligaments. The North County Times reports the last doc Merriman saw -- the infamous Dr. James Andrews, according to other reports -- saw if Shawne plays on the injury, his career could be at risk.

Of course, Merriman fears nothing and wants to keep playing now instead hitting surgery.

“I’ve been seeing some really great doctors over the past few days and they’ve all said the same things about the injury. [They’re] kind of surprised that I’ve been playing with it up to this point. .. [Playing this year is] first and foremost. That’s what I want to do. 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?"

If two doctors have already said stop, I'm guessing the answer to that last question would be "not at all." Merriman's incredibly important to S.D.'s hopes this season, but he's important in 2009 and 2010 and 2011, too. He's too good a player to toss off a career because he's too obsessed to take a breather and let his body heal.

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