SAN DIEGO — San Diego Chargers linebacker Shawne Merriman, who has missed more than a week of practice because of a sore left knee, said last night that he has ligament damage and is evaluating his options.

The trouble is "a loose ligament and (I'm) waiting to get more info on what I need to do," Merriman said in an e-mail to the North County Times.

Merriman underwent surgery to repair cartilage damage five months ago but has had persistent pain in the knee during training camp. He traveled this week to Birmingham, Ala., so the knee could be examined by Dr. James Andrews, who performed the operation.

Merriman last played in the Aug. 9 preseason opener against Dallas and has not practiced since then.

Coach Norv Turner said he hoped that Merriman will be able to play on Sept. 7 when the Chargers open their regular season against the Carolina Panthers.

"I think he can be close to 100 percent and get back with some real good rehab work," Turner said. "He's been doing a great job with it and I think he just needs some more time right now."