540MINUTES

by Jay Glazer

First Tom Brady. Now Shawne Merriman.

San Diego's three-time Pro Bowl linebacker has elected to have season-surgery to repair torn ligaments in his left knee. Several Chargers players and general manager A.J. Smith have said that the Pro Bowler has informed them of the decision.

"Shawne informed me he did not feel right and thought it best to shut it down," Smith said in a statement. "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."

Several calls left for Merriman have not yet been returned.

Merriman will have season-ending surgery....