Posted by Sabrina B. @gametimegirl

The Buffalo Bills have claimed former San Diego Chargers linebacker Shawne Merriman on waivers, league sources told ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter.

Merriman must report to the Bills anytime in the next five days or he’ll be placed on the Reserve/Left Squad list, then he would not be able to play the rest of the season at which point his status would be determined by the next collective bargaining agreement. At the moment, Merriman plans to report to Buffalo, sources told Schefter. He is not expected to play Sunday vs. the Chicago Bears, however.

The Miami Dolphins had also planned to place a waiver claim for Merriman.

Merriman was placed on the injured reserve list because of a calf injury and a “minor-injury designation” last month. The Chargers said when announcing the move that Merriman must be released once he’s healthy.

Known as “Lights Out” because of his once-ferocious hits, Merriman had 39½ sacks in his first three seasons. He’s had only four in the three seasons since then due to a variety of injuries.

He was suspended for four games in 2006 after testing positive for steroids. Even missing the four games, he had 17 sacks that year. Merriman blamed the positive test on a tainted supplement, which he never identified.

He also brought unwanted attention off the field. He was arrested just before the 2009 season after reality television star Tila Tequila accused him of battery and false imprisonment at his suburban San Diego home. No charges were filed, and Merriman and Tequila settled dueling lawsuits.

Merriman missed most of the 2008 season after undergoing reconstructive knee surgery. He had four sacks last year as he tried to regain his hard-hitting form. After sitting out most offseason workouts and part of training camp to protest his contract status, he was slowed by an Achilles injury and then a calf injury.

He had only five tackles and no sacks in limited action this year.