The lights have been turned off on Buffalo Bills linebacker Shawne Merriman's season.Merriman, who earned the nickname "Lights Out" when he was one of the NFL's most feared pass rushers, was placed on season-ending injured reserve Tuesday because of a right Achilles' tendon injury. Merriman nfl jerseys soon will undergo surgery to repair the damaged tendon."After much consideration and unanimous professional recommendations stating that my Achilles is in danger of rupturing, I have been advised that it would be in my best interest to undergo surgery as soon as possible in order to prevent a major injury," Merriman said in a statement. "I would like to thank all of my fans for their continued support on my road to a full recovery and am looking forward to getting back out on the field."

Merriman is suffering from the same injury that forced the Bills to place him on IR last November after they signed him as a free agent following his release from the San Diego Chargers."Shawne has worked extremely hard, football jerseys but unfortunately his Achilles flared back up and it doesn't appear that he will be able to return to the field anytime soon," Bills general manager Buddy Nix said in a statement released by the team Tuesday. "We felt it was in the best interest of our team and for Shawne to put him on IR."

After being bothered by a nagging shoulder injury for the past month, Merriman's Achilles suddenly became a problem on the  custom jerseys Thursday before the Bills' 27-24 loss to the New York Giants. Merriman missed that game, but he expressed confidence that he'd be able to return and not miss significant time when the Bills returned from their bye week.