Shawne Merriman :: Photo by Lisa Blumenfeld/Getty Images 

Maybe I don’t understand this like I think I do. I have two bad knees, one particularly worse than the other. That one knee dislocated a dozen times as a kid, even when I wasn’t doing anything to strain it, and I do mean nothing as I woke up one day with my kneecap dislocated.

Here is Shawne Merriman, the San Diego Chargers star linebacker the last three years since he was drafted, and he is trying to decide what he should do about his knee problems. He has confirmed for the press and the fans after speaking with just a few of the many doctors he plans to be examined by, that he has torn two ligaments in his left knee. The posterior cruciate and lateral collateral ligaments.

He keeps saying that he wants to play this season, and while he has an option for a surgery that would allow him to play at some point this season, he hasn’t taken it yet, which tells me that he does understand how serious the injury is.

The other option will eliminate any chance of him playing again this season, but it will almost certainly fully repair his knee; he hasn’t taken that option yet either. Even though all of the doctors he has met with have told him two things, very important things at that, 1) they are surprised that he has played as long as he has with the injury, and 2) if he doesn’t fix it, he could end his career, easily. Given his talent and raw ability over the last three years, I say it would be a complete waste for him to risk it.

Just say goodbye to the 2008 season Shawne. Have the surgery! Save your career.

Information in this article was obtained from several sources, including the official NFL website.