Shawne Merriman
Shawne Merriman Even though Chargers linebacker Shawne Merriman has been told by doctors he needs season-ending surgery to repair his injured knee, he has decided to wait until, at least after the season and play in 2008. Merriman has two torn ligaments in his knee and feels he can wear a brace, deal with the pain and still play at a high level.

"We'll see," Merriman said with a shrug. "To be as simple as possible, I just want to play football. That's what it comes down to."

Merriman told reporters that all four doctors said he needed surgery at some point. As for right now he was told his knee looked pretty good and the decision was left up to him. He was also told he was better
off have the surgery now. Playing on the knee could do more damage.

Dr. Neal ElAttrache, the director of sports medicine at the Kerlan-Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic in Los Angeles, said, "It's very difficult to control the swelling, at the point when he starts to get uncontrollable swelling, the fear is he causes irreversible damage."

Merriman's biggest concern will be his midweek struggle with pain, swelling and muscle weakness around the swollen area. Merriman knows at some point he will have to undergo the surgery, but he feels that could be a long way off.

"I think I'm taking a risk if I sit out and have surgery right now when I can play." Merriman said.

Merriman appears to be alone in his assessment.