When the Kansas City Chiefs and San Diego Chargers meet on Monday Night Football for the 2010 NFL season opener there will be a few stars missing for the team out west including WR Vincent Jackson and LT Marcus McNeill.
That's bad enough news for QB Philip Rivers. His number one receiver and the man who protects his blindside won't be playing.
Here's another name that could be missing on Monday night: LB Shawne Merriman.
Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune was asked if Merriman would play and he said, "I'd bet not." That's a far cry from him being declared out but the team has been concerned about his Achilles' injury since he returned from a two-week holdout.
That said, they're hoping right now that he can play on Monday.
Merriman's definitely a big name so that would seemingly make things easier for the Chiefs. It does -- there's no mistake about that -- but Merriman has four sacks in 15 games played over the last two years so he hasn't been much of a threat for a while.
Either way, the stars continue to align for the Chiefs in this game.
(H/T Chief of NY)