Roster football | Chargers: Merriman Placed on Starting Roster

San Diego Chargers' defense Merriman was expected to make his come back on the roster. Now it’s done.
Charges star linebacker Shawne Merriman has been cleared out and placed on the active roster for Sunday's road game against the Buffalo Bills. The top defender, also nicknamed "Lights Out" for his big hitting ability, was suspended for the last four games for a violation of the NFL's steroids and related substances policy.
Merriman’s return was very likely to happen, but his club had to make official his transfer from the suspended list to the roster. Besides, the Chargers could have decided to postpone his return by one week, according the League’s rules.
The Chargers had to drop linebacker Akbar Gbaja-Biamila in order to make room for Merriman on the roster. During the absence of Merriman, San Diego was 4-0 in Merriman's absence recording 14 sacks, which raised their sacks to a league-best 41. However the Chargers are also at 9-2 in contention for the top spot in the AFC playoffs. Therefore they will welcome the return of their star linebacker.
Before being suspended, the Chargers' first-round selection in the 2005 draft had 32 tackles, 8½ sacks, one interception and two passes defended. Merriman was also named defensive rookie of the year in 2005 by the League, when the former University of Maryland star posted 10 tackles. Eager to go back to the game, he returned to the Chargers' complex early on Monday morning. It was the first day he was allowed to come back on team property.
Last week, he practiced every day demonstrating that he was in good shape physically and ready to return. He credited a boxing regimen to keep him in good condition during his time away from the team.
However, Merriman has disclosed information about the banned substance he ingested and cost him a four-game suspension. Besides contrary to his earlier claims that he might sue the manufacturer he declined to engage any follow-ups. It seems that the player is more concerned about just getting back on the field than making the full light about the steroid use case he was involved in.


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