Everyone knows how strenuous playing in the National Football League can be. Injuries happen, and they happen often. But for Terrell Owens, television might have been just as physically taxing.
ESPN reports that the star wide receiver had to have surgery to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament in one of his knees due to a previously undisclosed injury suffered this offseason.
Sources vary on the cause of the ACL tear, but one source claims that the injury was inflicted while Owens was taping a television show. Drew Rosenhaus, Owens’ agent, was not available for comment.
His brother, Jason Rosenhaus, said, “I don’t like to deny stories, or confirm or deny anything. It’s really something for Drew [to address].”
The surgery was performed by orthopedist Dr. James Andrews, and sources say it was done within the past month.
Even though an ACL tear is generally a serious injury, sources say that Owens could potentially be able to return to the field within six months, in a best-case scenario, so long as he undergoes intensive rehab.
The 15-year-veteran performed well last season with the Cincinnati Bengals, hauling in 72 receptions for 983 yards and nine touchdowns. Owens’ contract was only for a year, however, so if and when the lockout ends, he will be a free agent.
An injury of this reported magnitude would obviously make Owens a less appealing option to teams looking to essentially rent his talents for a season. So it’s been all quiet on the injury front from the T.O. camp.
The 37-year-old, usually found lighting Twitter ablaze or flashing his smile on camera, remains unavailable for comment.
