ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — Shawne Merriman is looking for a fresh start in Buffalo. The Bills want to plug their porous defense. The two hope it’s a perfect match.
Three days after the Bills claimed the 2005 first-round pick off waivers from the Chargers, the once-feared pass rusher expressed his readiness to turn the page and resurrect a promising career that had turned sour.
“They have high expectations for me to come in and make some things happen, and I’m going to do that,” Merriman said Saturday. “I’ve been working out, and I’m just ready to get on the field as soon as possible. Whatever they need me to do, I’m here to work and kind of be a piece of the puzzle.”
Merriman was waived three weeks after he was placed on injured reserve because of a calf injury. The injury was designated as minor, meaning he was to be released once he was deemed healthy by the Chargers.
Merriman passed his physicals, declared himself healthy and will begin practicing Monday.
Colts’ Gonzalez goes on IR
INDIANAPOLIS — The Colts put former first-round pick Anthony Gonzalez on injured reserve because of a posterior cruciate ligament injury in his left knee, and left five other players, including running backs Joseph Addai and Mike Hart, behind as the team flew to Philadelphia.
“It’s next man up, and right now, we’re looking around to see who the next man is,” team president Bill Polian said. “You just have to play through it and hope that the worm turns at some point and we get a little luck, as opposed to what we’ve had over the last seven or eight weeks.”
For the second straight year, Gonzalez will finish the year on injured reserve — the 12th Colts player to join the list. The good news is it appears he does not need surgery.
Mankins on active roster
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — The Patriots activated offensive lineman Logan Mankins for their game today against the Browns.
Mankins reported to the team this week after holding out for the first seven games of the season in search of a better contract. He was activated for the 53-man roster Saturday.
Packers get Bigby back
GREEN BAY, Wis. — The Packers activated safety Atari Bigby from the physically unable to perform list, making him available to play in tonight’s game against the Cowboys.
