Chargers Waive Merriman, Lose Davis Again

Wide receiver's groin injury not going away

The San Diego Chargers made a pair of announcements Tuesday on the transaction front.

As had been foretold for weeks, the team waived linebacker Shawne Merriman after he passed a physical earlier in the day. The surprise came when wide receiver Buster Davis was placed on Reserve-Injured for a groin injury, too.

Then again, maybe losing Davis for the season shouldn't be too surprising.

This is the second time in three years a groin injury has forced Davis to shut it down. He first sustained the ailment in his final college game at LSU, and it led to various other injuries that limited the 30th overall draft pick during his 2007 rookie season.

In 2008, he underwent surgery to have his groin muscle reattached to the bone and repair an abdomen tear. This season, Davis played through a ribs injury in Weeks 6 and 7 and ranked fifth on the team with 21 receptions for 259 yards. He is due $840,000 in 2011, the final season in his five-year rookie contract.

With Vincent Jackson on the Roster Exempt list and Malcom Floyd and Legedu Naanee both battling hamstring injuries, Patrick Crayton, Seyi Ajirotu, Richard Goodman and Gary Banks could be the team's active wide receivers against the Texans Sunday for the second straight game.

On Oct. 13, Merriman (Achilles) was placed on the Reserve-Injured list with a “minor injury” designation, requiring San Diego to waive the former Pro Bowler once healthy. If added off waivers Wednesday, his new team will take on the remainder of his $3.269 million salary for 2010.

With Davis's vacated roster spot, the Chargers re-signed offensive tackle Adam Terry from the practice squad.

Contact Us