ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. -- Shawne Merriman's first season with the Buffalo Bills ended before it even began.

Merriman was placed on injured reserve Saturday because of a nagging Achilles tendon injury, culminating a tumultuous year for the once-feared pass rusher.

The Bills claimed Merriman off waivers earlier this month, three weeks after he was placed on injured reserve by the San Diego Chargers because of a calf injury.

At the time, he was also nursing a strained Achilles tendon. In his first practice with Buffalo on Nov. 10, he lasted just 15 minutes before re-injuring it.

The 2005 first-round pick and three-time Pro Bowl selection also sat out most of the Chargers' offseason workouts and part of training camp to protest his contract, which expires following this season. He finishes the year with six tackles in three games for the Chargers.

Merriman expressed his eagerness to get a fresh start when he made his first public appearance in Buffalo a day before the Bills' 22-19 loss to Chicago in Toronto in Week 9.

The following Wednesday, he walked onto the practice field for the first time with his new team, but that's when things went awry.