San Diego Chargers restricted free agent linebacker Shawne Merriman has signed his one-year tender, the three-time Pro Bowler announced on Twitter.

Merriman's one-year tender carries a $3.269 million base salary for 2010.

A first-round pick out of Maryland, Merriman has 225 tackles and 43.5 quarterback sacks during his career. A knee injury has limited Merriman to just 15 games and 4 quarterback sacks in 2008 and 2009, which in addition to a high-profile legal entanglement with a former reality-television star ex-girlfriend, have not helped Merriman's attempt to receive a long-term contract extension.

Merriman changed agents this off-season, replacing Tom Condon with David Dunn, who becomes Merriman's third agent in five seasons.

Despite signing the tender, Merriman is unlikely to play in Saturday night's pre-season opener against the Chicago Bears.