Lights Out for Lights Out: Shawne Merriman's 2008 Season Is Already Over

Shawne Merriman made it all of 60 minutes before deciding that all the doctors were correct in their belief that he should not play this year, because, according to Jay Glazer (and confirmed by SCOOOOOOP) he is donecakes for the 2008 season.

Immediately after Sunday's game, Merriman told FOXSports.com the knee was pretty sore, but otherwise felt OK. He gave no indication at that time that he would elect to go this route.

But apparently, the knee did not pass Merriman's test

Week 1 Injuries

Shawne Merriman, San Diego Chargers:
The imposing linebacker finally decides to listen to doctors and have season-ending surgery on his torn left knee ligaments.

Stephen Dunn, Getty Images

Tom Brady, New England Patriots:
The future hall of fame quarterback's 128 consecutive start streak is officially coming to an end as Brady will have season-ending surgery on his injured left knee.

Paul Jasienski, Getty Images

Vince Young, Tennessee Titans:
The young QB sprained his left knee late in the Titans' 17-10 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars.

John Russell, AP

Brodie Croyle, Kansas City Chiefs:
The signal caller was taken out of game in the the third quarter with a bruised right shoulder.

David Eulitt, Kansas City Star / MCT

Maurice Morris, Seattle Seahawks:
Didn't return after hurting his right knee early in the second half.

Rod Mar, Seattle Times / MCT

Marion Barber, Dallas Cowboys:
The running back was taken to the locker room with bruised ribs in the second half against the Cleveland Browns.

Ron T. Ennis, Fort Worth Star-Telegram / MCT

Nate Burleson, Seattle Seahawks
Burleson limped off the field with a left knee injury.

Rick Stewart, Getty Images

This is by all means BREAKING NEWS, but is it really that surprising? Merriman will now have the surgery ... that was recommended by everyone all along. I mean, every single doctor he went to told him trying to play right now was the worst decision he could make, given the circumstances and nature of the injury.

Personally, I felt that Merriman would have been smarter to take the shorter recovery surgery and try and make it back for the playoffs, but at this point, he's laying many millions of dollars on the line if he keeps playing.

Also, considering he knew this could be "career threatening", I can't imagine that after playing on the knee and realizing how a) painful and b) ineffective it was, that he would continue to try and play in 2008.

The loss of Merriman is clearly a huge blow to the Chargers season and their defense, but it doesn't totally doom them; they have plenty of offense and still sport a stout defensive unit. Still, it's going to be tough to replace the ~~steroids~~ energy that Lights Out brings on every defensive play.