Shawne Merriman Cut By Buffalo Bills After Injury-Plagued Stint

Shawne Merriman’s comeback attempt with the Buffalo Bills has come to an end.

The once-dominant and 0ft-injured linebacker was cut on Monday, The Associated Press reported. The team announced the move in a one-sentence statement as the team returned to practice after two days off.

Shawne Merriman’s release was received with a bit of shock around the league, as the linebacker once known for vicious sacks and his “Lights Out” dance was finally returning to full health and was in his best shape in years. He had season-ending surgery in November to repair a tear in his right Achilles tendon, and injury that shortened each of his previous two seasons.

“I feel young,” Merriman said in May. “Anybody that will get a chance to watch me this year will see I’m moving around as I did when I came into the league.”

Merriman seemed to fit into the Bills new revamped defense. In the offseason the team invested in free agent Mario Williams and signed pass-rushing defensive end Mark Anderson from the Patriots, moves that could have opened up more room for Merriman to rush off the edge.

Shawne Merriman posted a note on his Twitter account late Monday morning thanking the team and fans. The night before Merriman had posted that he was getting ready for practice the next day.

For Buffalo News beat writer Tim Graham, the move was a bit curious after the Bills had stuck by Shawne Merriman throughout his recovery. Merriman was expected to add considerable depth to the team as a backup to Williams and Anderson.

Shawne Meriman wasdue to make $4 million this season along with a $1 million roster bonus that he had already been paid. Last season he made $2.75 million.