Related articles:

Merriman to play despite advice of four doctors

General
CORT
WAREHOUSE/DRIVER Health Care
Rio Salado College
PA's/Online Instructors General
CORT
Warehouse Supervisor Education
Assessment Technology, Inc
Social Studies Content Writer Construction
Komatsu Equipment Co
Mechanic

SAN DIEGO — Chargers linebacker Shawne Merriman might require season-ending surgery on his left knee.

Merriman, a three-time Pro Bowler, felt pain in his knee after playing in San Diego's preseason game Aug.9. On Thursday, Merriman said he has a torn posterior cruciate ligament in the knee. He has visited noted sports surgeon Dr. James Andrews and may see two other doctors to weigh his options.

If the ligament is severely torn, he would undergo season-ending knee surgery. If the tear is not significant, Merriman could play through the pain and be ready for Week1 against the Carolina Panthers on Sept. 7.

"If a guy has a setback, and it keeps him out of it for a week or two … I don't know that anyone will remember that any player missed a week of practice or was dealing with an issue," Chargers coach Norv Turner said Friday after practice.

San Diego would turn to Jyles Tucker if Merriman cannot play, but Turner called that idea "way, way, way, way premature."

HOUSTON — Texans receiver Harry Williams will have surgery Sunday to repair a neck vertebra he fractured during a preseason game Friday night.

Williams, 26, was hurt early in the Texans' 23-22 loss to the Cowboys when he collided with teammate Nick Ferguson while covering a kick return.

Williams was taken off the field on a stretcher, and an ambulance took him to Presbyterian Hospital in Dallas. Team doctor Walter Lowe said early Saturday morning that Williams had regained feeling in his extremities and most of his normal neurological function.

"He's in good spirits," Houston coach Gary Kubiak said later in the day.

MINNEAPOLIS — The Minnesota Vikings held quarterback Tarvaris Jackson and his top two receivers, Bernard Berrian and Sidney Rice, out of Saturday's preseason game against Pittsburgh.

The Vikings want to be cautious with Jackson's sprained right knee. He was hurt last week at Baltimore.

Rice has fought a virus the last few weeks and has not practiced much. Berrian is bothered by a sore toe.