Merriman to play, Chargers to let him.

In an act of complete lunacy, San Diego LB Shawne Merriman (he of the torn PCL and LCL) has opted to play this season, foregoing surgery on his injured knee until next season, or as he puts it 'when it's time to deal with it'.

The team is apparently allowing him to play. despite the risk to Merriman's long term health. He has previously been warned that playing on the knee could end his pro football career if he injures it again. Of course, as The Union-Tribune put it, 'Take this to the bank: Merriman will not be a Charger after his contract expires at the end of the 2009 season.'

Put's another spin on the team allowing him to play doesn't it? San Diego's future is not intertwined with Merriman, and the team is already considering life without him, so it makes sense for the team to get as much as possible out of one of the best pass rushers in the league, before they lose him for nothing.