SAN DIEGO — The San Diego Chargers have turned out the lights on the player known as “Lights Out.”

Outside linebacker Shawne Merriman, once one of the most-feared players in the NFL, was placed on the injured reserve list because of a calf injury and a “minor-injury designation” on Wednesday. Merriman must be released once he’s healthy, the team said.

Technically, the Chargers could re-sign the controversial player. That almost certainly won’t happen, though, because general manager A.J. Smith hasn’t been a fan of Merriman’s celebrity-leaning lifestyle.

Known as “Lights Out” because of his once-ferocious hits, Merriman had 39 1/2 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, who’s been on the trading block for some time, declined to comment when contacted via e-mail.

— The Associated Press