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It was good while it lasted for the Chargers and Shawne “Lights Out” Merriman

This past Sunday, we saw Shawne Merriman in a Chargers’ jersey for the last time.

Today, the Chargers placed linebacker Shawne Merriman on IR with a “minor-injury designation”, which means that once he is healthy, he will be released. The former Maryland Terrapin ’05 first round selection is expected to miss another 2-4 weeks before he will be released.

“I have been blessed to call San Diego my home for the past six years. I can’t say enough about my teammates, the coaching staff and of course the fans who have made my career with the Chargers such an amazing experience. I am approaching this situation as an opportunity to grow as a player and to bring my leadership and talents to a new organization. I am ready for the next chapter in my career and I am excited about the opportunity to continue my journey with a new team.”

After playing sparingly in the first five games of the season, the Chargers have decided to part ways with their former Pro-Bowl linebacker. He has been lackluster at best in the past couple of years after starting his NFL career with a bang, due mostly to injuries.

After ending his holdout right before the beginning of the season, he missed the first game with a reaggravated Achilles’ tendon injury. In Week 3 against the Seattle Seahawks, he injured his calf. He missed Week 4 due to the calf injury, but came back against the Oakland Raiders in Week 5 only to reaggravate the injury.

In the three games he has been active this season, he has started once and made six tackles.

After a failed attempt to find a trade for Merriman, the Chargers have decided to part ways with their former first-round pick.

As was reported earlier, former Raven and Eagle linebacker/defensive end Antwan Barnes has been signed in an attempt to shore up the outside linebacker position now that Merriman will no longer be a part of the organization.