SAN DIEGO -- Chargers outside linebacker Shawne Merriman won't play in Thursday night's preseason finale at San Francisco because of an Achilles' tendon injury, and there's no guarantee he'll play in the Sept. 13 season opener at Kansas City.
Merriman knows the Chargers are better served with him getting back to full health than playing with a hindrance, so he and the team are proceeding slowly.
"There's no way you can just jump back in and go," Merriman said Tuesday. "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."
Chargers coach Norv Turner doesn't want Merriman's ailment to slow him down during the season, as foot and groin problems did in 2009, when he was limited to four sacks.
"His recovery is a process," Turner said. "We've planned for it. We know it's a long season, and we're approaching his injury with that in mind. We'll see how he comes along and hope he doesn't have a setback. The next step is to be able to get out and practice. We'll try to speed the process up once he's able to do that."
Merriman missed more than two weeks of training camp in protest of his status as a restricted free agent, and now the nagging injury has cost him roughly the same amount of practice time.
The injury demands rest, a patience-testing rehabilitation for a passionate player like Merriman.
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"It's less than ideal, but it's more important to be ready when everybody needs you," Merriman said. "My focus has to be on that, not on practicing when I shouldn't or putting unnecessary stress on the Achilles. It's definitely tough to go through, but taking time off is best in the long run."
The Chargers claimed cornerback Fred Bennett off waivers from the Houston Texans, and they released defensive lineman Ryon Bingham to make room on the roster. The Chargers also signed punter Glenn Pakulak, who played in 10 games with the New Orleans Saints and Washington Redskins during the 2008 and '09 seasons.
To reach the 75-man roster limit, the Chargers waived running back Marcus Mason, wide receiver Gary Banks, guard Lee Grimes and linebacker Darry Beckwith. Linebacker Donald Butler, a third-round draft pick, was placed on injured reserve with an Achilles' tendon injury.
Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press