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Chargers to be without LB Merriman against Browns

Oct 31, 2006 - 11:27 PM Cleveland (2-5) at San Diego (5-2) Sunday 4:15 pm EST

SAN DIEGO (Ticker) -- The San Diego Chargers will be in the dark for the month of November.

Shawne Merriman, the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year last season, will miss the next four games starting with Sunday's contest against the Cleveland Browns.

Nicknamed "Lights Out" for his propensity to deliver big hits, Merriman decided to drop his appeal of a four-game suspension for violating the NFL's policy on performance-enhancing substances. He is eligible to return December 3, but also will miss games against Cincinnati, Denver and Oakland.

Merriman is tied with Green Bay's Aaron Kampman for the league lead with 8 1/2 sacks. Last Sunday, Merriman registered three sacks in the Chargers' 38-24 victory over St. Louis.

LaDainian Tomlinson had another huge game in the win against the Rams, rushing for 183 yards and two touchdowns. He also had three catches for 57 yards and a score.

Tomlinson has eight touchdowns in his last three games and leads the NFL with 11. He is second in the league with 656 rushing yards behind Tiki Barber of the New York Giants.

The Chargers, who are tied with Denver for first place, have won their three home games by a combined 111-44.

In their first game since offensive coordinator Maurice Carthon announced his resignation, the Browns showed some life in last Sunday's 20-13 victory over the New York Jets.

New offensive coordinator Jeff Davidson opted to pound the ball with Reuben Droughns, who rushed for 125 yards on 33 carries and a touchdown. Droughns may find things a bit more difficult against the Chargers, who rank sixth in the league against the run, allowing 84.7 yards per game.

One of the wins for the Browns this season came against an AFC West foe, a 24-21 triumph at Oakland on October 1.

Browns tight end Kellen Winslow Jr. will face the team his father played with from 1979-87. Kellen Winslow made five Pro Bowls and is second on the Chargers' all-time list with 541 receptions.

This is the first meeting between the teams here since 1999.