Orchard Park, NY (Sports Network) - The Buffalo Bills brought back defensive end Shawne Merriman on Monday.

Merriman had been let go by the club in late August during preseason roster cuts, and did not catch on with another team in the interim.

He was re-signed in the wake of Mark Anderson's knee surgery which will keep him out anywhere between four and nine weeks.

Once among the most feared defensive players in the league, Merriman's career has been plagued by injuries in recent years. He started each of the first five games for the Bills last season before Achilles problems resurfaced, forcing the club to place him on injured reserve.

In five games, the Maryland product recorded just nine tackles and one sack.

Buffalo claimed Merriman off waivers from the San Diego Chargers in the middle of the 2010 season. He was injured shortly into his first practice with the Bills and was placed on IR.

To make room on the roster, Buffalo released offensive lineman David Snow and defensive lineman Jay Ross.

The Sports Network