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NFL: Chargers put end to Merriman era

The San Diego Chargers have turned out the lights on the player known as "Lights Out." Outside linebacker Shawne Merriman, once one of the most-feared players in the NFL, was placed on the injured-reserve list with a calf injury and a "minor-injury designation" on Wednesday. Merriman must be released once he's healthy, the team said.

The San Diego Chargers have turned out the lights on the player known as "Lights Out."

Outside linebacker Shawne Merriman, once one of the most-feared players in the NFL, was placed on the injured-reserve list with a calf injury and a "minor-injury designation" on Wednesday. Merriman must be released once he's healthy, the team said.

Technically, the Chargers could re-sign the controversial player. That almost certainly won't happen, though, because general manager A.J. Smith hasn't been a fan of Merriman's celebrity-leaning lifestyle.

Merriman had 391/2 sacks in his first three seasons. He's had only four in the three seasons since then due to a variety of injuries.

Favre's elbow hurting. Brett Favre's latest problem is his elbow.

With the NFL investigating whether he sent lewd photos of himself to a Jets game hostess while he played for New York in 2008, Favre said that his league-record streak of 289 straight starts could be in danger if the pain in his right elbow gets any worse.

The 41-year-old quarterback did not practice with Minnesota, preferring to rest the tendinitis that flared up noticeably on Monday night in the Vikings' 29-20 loss to the Jets.

Cutler expects to start. Jay Cutler expects to be starting at quarterback for the Chicago Bears against the Seattle Seahawks after missing a game because of a concussion.

He said doctors "wanted to make completely sure" he was ready before clearing him Monday.

Cutler practiced on a limited basis last week after being sacked nine times in the first half of a loss to the New York Giants.

McNeill has deal. Chargers left tackle Marcus McNeill agreed to a five-year contract extension through 2015. It's believed to be worth $48.5 million, with $24.5 million guaranteed.

It took a holdout, a team-imposed suspension, and having his pay slashed for this season to get to this point, but McNeill said it was worth it.

Because this is an uncapped season, McNeill was a restricted free agent even though his original four-year contract expired after last season. When he didn't sign his $3,168,000, one-year tender by June 15, the Chargers reduced the tender to 110 percent of his 2009 salary, or $630,000. McNeill sat out training camp and the first two games before signing the tender.

Haynesworth to return. Albert Haynesworth will rejoin the Washington Redskins for practice on Thursday following the death of his half brother.

Haynesworth left the team after his half brother died in a motorcycle accident in Nashville last week.

Saints' Ivory charged. A prosecutor in the state of Washington says Saints rookie running back Chris Ivory has been charged with second-degree assault stemming from an alleged altercation in July 2009.

Whitman County prosecutor Denis Tracy said Wednesday that Ivory is accused of hitting another man in the head with a bottle. Ivory denies that he committed the alleged crime.