It looks like the fine folks over at Dread Central decided to sneak in a question to Michael Rooker at Wondercon. He was there for the Lollipop Chainsaw panel (where he voices one of the game’s characters) and announced that Merle will be in season 3 for The Walking Dead. Not only will he be in Season 3 but he had to apparently lose 20 pounds (not including his hand) for whatever his returning role will be!
It could be starving zombie but I’m going to vote either he hasn’t been doing well or he’s somehow going to be linked with The Governor. Maybe a prisoner in their camp? Maybe works for him? We won’t know for quite awhile but I’m eagerly looking forward to his one handed return!