Jyles

Tucker

Released by San Diego three years into a five-year contract, Tucker was out of the league last season. Although he has a history with Ron Rivera, Tucker will have to make the switch to defensive end in the Panthers’ 4-3 defense.

Tucker quit for “personal reasons,” and coach Ron Rivera does not anticipate him returning to the squad. It sounds like 29-year-old Tucker is calling it a career. Once considered a promising UDFA out of Wake Forest, Tucker tallied 5.5 sacks in 2008 with San Diego. He was never able to recapture that form.

Tucker could be in a roster fight with Antwan Applewhite, who is also fully recovered after missing much of last season with a hamstring injury. Neither will have a significant role unless Shawne Merriman is traded.

Tucker, who went undrafted out of Wake Forest in ’07, is a candidate to start at LOLB if Shawne Merriman (knee) misses the season. He was previously signed through this year. Tucker, 25, is worth a look in dynasty IDP leagues.

It’d be Tucker, Carlos Polk, or Marques Harris. Tucker showed potential in Week 17 last year, racking up three sacks, two forced fumbles, and a fumble recovery he returned for a touchdown. Of course, he did it against Oakland, so it might not count. But he’s someone to monitor in big-play IDP leagues.

Merriman is expected to be placed on injured reserve and will have the torn PCL and LCL ligaments in his knee repaired. There was no indication that Merriman would go this route after Sunday’s game, but apparently the knee did not pass his test. Jyles Tucker will take Merriman’s place at outside linebacker.

That’s a clean sweep of Merriman’s doctors recommending immediate surgery. The doctors agree that Merriman can play on the knee as is, but that he will basically be a shell of his former self in doing so. The Chargers appear ready to go forward with Jyles Tucker as Merriman’s 2008 replacement.

Tucker’s status for this week’s game against the Eagles is unknown. He has just four tackles in seven games this season.

Tucker had just four tackles in seven games. Viewed as a potential long-term in-house replacement for Shawne Merriman as recently as the start of the 2008 season, Tucker’s stock tumbled when the Bolts used their 2009 first-round pick on Larry English. Tucker will return at his $570K salary for 2010.