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In a conference call with the Jaguars media today, San Diego coach Norv Turner had some interesting things to say on the injury status of left tackle Marcus McNeill and linebacker Shawne Merriman.

Turner said it doesn't appear McNeill will play Sunday because of a neck injury. L.J. Shelton is expected to take McNeill's place.

"I have my fingers crossed," Turner said. "Marcus (McNeil) has some issues he is taking care of and I think it would be asking a lot for him to play. But I know him and what he wants to do. But I would expect it to be Shelton."

Here is what Turner had to say on Merriman, who has opted to play despite being told by four knee specialists that he should have season-ending surgery:

On Merriman and playing with the injury:

"Shawne's situation, for us as an organization and us as a staff, received a lot of notoriety over the last couple of weeks. We've known since February. He received the same kind of advice from us in February, that eventually that knee was going to need some work done on it. He elected not to do it then. Everyone makes a big deal out of the last couple of weeks, but he played until the end of the year last year, like six games with it. And at that time and now he feels he can play with it. We are going to
keep a close eye on it and we're going to make sure we can take care of him the best we can."

Would he have liked to see him have it done in February?

"I have my opinions about it but I'm not going to say anything different than what he has chosen to do. I'm going to support what he is doing and we are going to do everything we can to make it work."

On four reports that this could end his career:

"Each time he saw someone there were different degrees of their advice to him and that is why he was very thorough and made sure he talked to a number of guys. He has also talked to some people that make him comfortable enough to think he can go and play on it."