Merriman Has Knee Examined

San Diego Chargers linebacker Shawne Merriman had surgery on his knee five months ago; despite this, Merriman is experiencing lingering pain in the knee and as a result, has missed practice for more than a week.  According to the Associated Press, Merriman travelled to Birmingham, Alabama to see Dr. James Andrews, the doctor who performed Merriman's surgery. Merriman hasn't practiced this week and didn't play against the St. Louis Rams last Saturday; he missed 3 consecutive practices last week due to the sore knee and an illness described as strep throat and fever.  But despite that, Chargers head coach Norv Turner seems not be overly concerned and is hoping that Merriman will be healthy when the Chargers open the regular season against the Carolina Panthers, with Turner adding, "I think we have a number of guys that are in that category who have some soreness, and my concern will be if it lingers.  Hopefully, it won't linger and hopefully in the next week to 10 days, he's going to be all right and ready to get going."