Chargers' Merriman will forgo surgery, play with knee injury

[GTripp0012]

Originally Posted by Mattyk72

That's what amazes me about the people who don't seem to think this is a big deal. When do we ever hear about someone attempting to play an entire season with 2 damaged ligaments? It's simple... 2 torn ligaments = need for surgery. Can you play on it? Sure. Is it a wise thing to do? Probably not.

I think it's a BIG deal. Almost as big as Umeniorya's story. I remember saying that I think there is a legitimate chance his effectiveness will be compromised.

But Merriman is doing the RIGHT thing by putting the ball in the team's court. Yes, he could easily have said "I'm done" and sat out all year earning his paycheck, but he's willing to help the Chargers with a championship if it's worth it.

If AJ Smith thinks there is a reasonable risk that Merriman's career could end because of this injury, he WILL shut him down. I want to make that clear. I'm not saying the Chargers shouldn't consider ending Merriman's season anyway. I'm saying they definitely have considered it, and apparently, they don't see the same risk in the situation that the rest of us do.

If it was me, I would shut him down (based on the third hand information I have). But I would also expect my athlete to continue to prepare for the season until we tell him that he's getting the surgery. That last part is where Merriman is clearly in the right.