Shawne Merriman - season over?

Having torn his posterior cruciate and lateral collateral ligaments, Shawne Merriman has been advised by doctors to have season-ending surgery. Or, he could play. However, if he plays on the injured knee, he faces the risk that his career (not season) would be over.

“It could be career-threatening if I did (play),” Merriman said. “It’s a possibility. That possibility is still open.”

“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.”

I admire players that battle pain and play through it. However, if the players' career (or, more importantly, their health) is on the line, it makes no sense to risk it.

Granted, if Merriman has season-ending surgery, he may have some regrets wishing he were on the field. Especially since this could be the Chargers year.

But if he doesn't have surgery and he damages his knee to the point that it ends his career, he'll definitely regret that much more.