They said linebacker Shawne Merriman was targeted by Tennessee and suffered a sprained left knee on a dirty play by two Titans during the second quarter. Merriman identified center Kevin Mawae as one player but didn't know the identity of the second player.

“It was a cheap shot,” Merriman said after the Chargers' 23-17 overtime victory.

“It was a real dirty play,” safety Marlon McCree said. “I'm sure our coaches will turn it in (to the league) and they (Titans players) should get fined for what they did. It was an unnecessary play, and I don't think it's called for in this game.”

The Chargers did not say how long Merriman might be sidelined. He was scheduled for an MRI exam today.

Merriman and his mates believed the Titans went after him because of a play early in the second quarter when he collided with Vince Young after a handoff. Young was rolling to his left and never saw Merriman, who did not appear to be trying to hit the second-year quarterback.

“Vince is a really good friend of mine; he knows I wouldn't do that,” Merriman said. “Anyways, I'm not even that kind of player. I pulled way up. I tried to catch him as he was falling. If the refs thought I did something wrong they would have flagged me, and they didn't.”

Young injured his ribs on the play but did not blame Merriman.

“I don't think Merriman tried to do that,” he said. “It happens.''

At least one of his teammates, however, believed otherwise – tight end Bo Scaife called it “cheap” and “dirty.” And Merriman said “several” Chargers told him Titans coach Jeff Fisher ordered the hit. Fisher was unavailable for comment after the Chargers spoke with reporters.

“Plenty of people told me it was a coach down there telling them to go get at me,” said Merriman, who earlier angered Titans fans by celebrating each of his two sacks with his “Lights Out” dance.

Said McCree: “I know they did because the previous series they ran a play designed to crack back on him. The guy came down and hit him on the blind side. Come on, what is that for? That's not necessary. And then a few plays later, he's down on the ground and two of the offensive linemen come and jump on his back? On his neck?

“Come on, this guy's got a family. You don't like how he plays, you don't like how he celebrates, stop him from getting to your quarterback. Don't hit him after the play or don't go after his knees and his neck.”

The Chargers used Marques Harris and rookie Jyles Tucker to replace Merriman, and the team also played at least half the game without nose tackle Jamal Williams (ankle).

“It's tough not having two guys that are an integral part of our defense. But that's why we have backups,” linebacker Stephen Cooper said.

Cooper knocked away one third-down pass, while fellow linebacker Matt Wilhelm had an interception and was credited with breaking up two passes, including a critical third-down attempt with 2:32 remaining and the Chargers trailing 17-10.

Wilhelm was trailing Scaife on the play and had his back to Young. It appeared he might have been fortunate to deflect the ball, but Wilhelm said he put up his arms when Scaife's “eyes got big and his hands went up.”

The play forced the Titans to punt, and the Chargers drove 80 yards to tie the game before winning it in overtime.

“That's the character of this team,” Merriman said. “We're going to fight you to the end, regardless of what they do. There were a bunch of cheap shots out there, but they can get some cheap shots on the sofa at home while they watch us.”

Jay Posner: (619) 293-1834; jay.posner@uniontrib.com