John W. McDonough/SI Shawne Merriman will play despite ligament damage.

Jam-packed show as we get ready for Labor Day weekend. The NFL season is quickly approaching. SI's Jim Trotter stops by to talk about Shawne Merriman's decision to play this year despite extensive ligament damage. Trotter covered the Chargers for years and knows Merriman well, so he should have some interesting insights. Also, Trotter will explain why the NFL is reinstating Adam Jones and update us on the latest headlines around the league.

The Houston Chronicle's Richard Justice will join the show to talk about instant replay. Will it stop at just home runs? Justice is great on state of baseball issues and should have a brilliant perspective.

And the Los Angeles Times' Chris Dufresne is in the house to preview opening weekend for college football. It looks like USC has a quarterback. Can UCLA say the the same thing?

But most importantly, your MC today is not Mr. Dan Patrick, but it's the great Tony Bruno. Dan's on a plane headed out to LA to catch the Tennessee-UCLA game on Monday. But you know Bruno will stir it up today. So let's get going.