Shawne Merriman done for season

Shawne Merriman decided to play football against the wishes of 4 separate recommendations from doctors. While he should be able to do whatever he wants with his own body, many viewed it as a mistake.

Well, Merriman has changed his mind.

"Shawne informed me he did not feel right [on the field] and thought it best to shut it down," said Chargers general manager A.J. Smith. "The road to winning the AFC West just got more difficult, but not impossible. Nothing is impossible. Shawne is a great player and an inspirational leader. He will be missed. We wish him a successful surgery and a speedy recovery."

I think it's better to change course of action if he believes it would be a mistake to play. Some times a person will stick to a decision because the commitment made or word given even when it's a mistake. I believe it's better to be safe than sorry.

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.