NFL News: Shawne Merriman’s first season with Buffalo Bills will be spent on injured reserve
For one unfortunate player, his first season was over before it even began.
Buffalo Bills' Shawne Merriman was placed on season-ending injured reserve on Saturday, after constant pain and discomfort from an Achilles tendon injury.
Merriman was selected in the 2005 NFL Draft to the San Diego Chargers in the first round. He was once known as a feared pass rusher, but is now better known for his tendency for injuries.
The Chargers placed Merriman on injured reserve because of a calf injury, and he was picked up by the Bills. He was also nursing his Achilles tendon injury at the time.
The three-time Pro Bowl selection sat out for most of his off-season practices with the Chargers, to protest his contract, which was supposed to expire next year. He played in only three games for the Chargers, and totalled six
tackles.
He did express that he was eager to make his first public appearance with Buffalo, one day before they lost to the Bears in Toronto during their Week 9 game.
However, four days later, during his first practice, Merriman was performing a harmless drill, when he backpedalled and limped off of the field, having re-injured his tendon. He practiced for only 15 minutes.
Merriman was off of the play roster for the Bills' next two games, and 24 hours before the team cut him off, said that he wouldn't be playing in the Sunday home game against the Steelers.
Once called "Lights Out" because of his hard-hitting and ferocious style, Merriman accumulated 43.5 sacks in his 60-game career in the NFL.
However, his performance decreased rapidly, mostly due to injuries, including reconstructive knee surgery that caused him to be out for most of the 2008 season.
Since 2008, Merriman played in 18 games and had only four sacks.
He was suspended for four games back in 2006, after having tested positive for steroids, which he blames on a tainted supplement.
Bills' linebacker Keith Ellison was also placed on injured reserve on Saturday, and linebacker Thomas Williams and receiver Naaman Roosevelt were promoted from the practice to active squad.
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