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Chargers linebacker Shawne "Lights Out" Merriman was arrested early this morning for allegedly choking his girlfriend Tila Tequila, per Craig Gustafson of the San Diego Union-Tribune.

Tequila, who had an MTV reality show "A Shot at Love with Tila Tequila," signed a citizen's arrest warrant claiming battery and false imprisonment.

While legal concerns certainly outweigh football concerns, Merriman, who missed all of last year with a knee injury, is in a contract year. And, obviously, this incident puts his status for the season in jeopardy.

But as Pro Football Talk points out, Merriman is a first offender so he may not face team and/or league discipline until after this runs its course through the legal system.

That being said, the Chargers were the clear-cut favorites to win the AFC West this year. But if their best players shoot themselves in the foot (not literally, like Plaxico Burress), who knows?

Maybe the Raiders (who added Richard Seymour today) could sneak up on the Chargers -- and then sucker punch them in the jaw.