Shawne Merriman has been placed on the injured reserve list, meaning he has likely played his last game for the San Diego Chargers.
Barnes signed to take fellow linebacker's place on active roster
The San Diego Chargers have ended Shawne Merriman's season by placing him on the injured reserve list, meaning he has likely played his last game for the franchise.
Linebacker Merriman has a calf injury and a "minor-injury designation", according to the Chargers' website on Wednesday.
The team also confirmed that the move means the three-time Pro Bowler must be released when he is healthy.
While San Diego could opt to re-sign their former first-round draft pick, it seems they are unlikely to do so following another injury-hit campaign.
Merriman has seen only limited action this year because of Achilles and calf problems having sat out parts of training camp in protest at his contract status.
In all the 26-year-old has registered 43.5 sacks in his NFL career, though only four of those have come in the past three years. He missed much of the 2008 campaign after having reconstructive knee surgery.
The Chargers have signed linebacker Antwan Barnes, who was waived by the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday, to take Merriman's place on their roster.
