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Between his contract holdout and a subsequent Achilles tendon injury, Chargers pass-rushing linebacker Shawne Merriman is going to miss the entire preseason schedule.
Chargers coach Norv Turner told reporters Tuesday that Merriman would not be available for Thursday's exhibition finale against the San Francisco 49ers.
There's also no certainty that he'll be ready to play in the Sept. 13 opener at Kansas City.
"His recovery is a process," Turner said, according to Bernie Wilson's report for the Associated Press. "We'll see how he comes along and hope he doesn't have a setback."
Merriman has been snake-bitten in the past by injuries. He also said he favors a cautious approach in mapping out his return from his latest injury.
"There's no way you can just jump back in and go," Merriman said. "I've been in this situation before and you have to take each day as its own. If each day goes as planned, you'll eventually get back to playing again."
Merriman, a restricted free agent, initially refused to sign the Chargers' one-year tender. He held out for nearly three weeks in hopes of securing more job security and a better deal.
In mid-August, he reported to training camp, signed the tender and resumed practicing with his team only to be hurt within a couple days. He hasn't been able to practice since then.
"It's less than ideal, but it's more important to be ready when everybody needs you," Merriman told AP. "My focus has to be on that, not on practicing when I shouldn't or putting unnecessary stress on the Achilles."
In a roster move, the Chargers claimed cornerback Fred Bennett off waivers from the Houston Texans. Defensive lineman Ryon Bingham was released.
First Contract Holdout, Then Injury Sideline Chargers' Shawne Merriman
Sep 2, 2010 – 8:59 AM
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