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Shawne Merriman, the Chargers linebacker, has ligament damage and is evaluating his options, including the possibility of undergoing season-ending reconstructive surgery. He has missed more than a week of practice because of the sore left knee

Merriman said in an e-mail to the North County Times on Thursday night that the trouble is “a loose ligament and (I’m) waiting to get more info on what I need to do”

Shawne said to the San Diego Union Tribune that he has a torn posterior cruciate ligament in his left knee.

Five months ago, San Diego’s linebacker had a surgery to repair a cartilage damage. Surgery went well but he has had persistent pain in the knee during training camp. He traveled this week to Birmingham, so his knee could be examined by Dr. James Andrews, who performed the operation.

The Union-Tribune reported that Shawne was in New York on Thursday to see another specialist and was considering seeing a third on Friday to determine when or if he would play this season.

Merriman last game was in August 9 preseason opener against Dallas and has not practiced since then.

“It’s finding out what do I need to fix, what I need to do,” The linebacker told the Union-Tribune. “If it’s left up to me, I want to play football. I can’t stand sitting out.”

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

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