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Come Fan with UsThursday, July 2, 2026

Shawne Merriman hospitalized after alleged drug and alcohol overdose

Shawne Merriman is recovering from a drug and alcohol overdose suffered Sunday night.

Stephen Dunn

Shawne Merriman overdosed on a combination of alcohol and drugs Sunday night, the Los Angeles Times reports. The Times spoke to a source who could not comment on Merriman's current condition, but who did say that former San Diego Chargers and Buffalo Bills linebacker will survive.

Merriman was transported to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles at 9:30 p.m. He was tweeting just hours later, however, suggesting that he should come out of the incident okay. Merriman doesn’t seem any worse for the wear:

Merriman issued a more formal update later in the morning.

Merriman retired from the NFL last March after eight seasons. He was a force with the Chargers, recording 39 sacks in his first three seasons in the league, including 17 in just 12 games played in 2006. Merriman struggled mightily with injuries over the rest of his career, however. He appeared in just 33 games over his final five seasons and notched just six sacks.

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