Terrell Owens Injury: T.O. Reportedly Had Offseason Surgery On Torn ACL

Terrell Owens is recovering from left knee surgery and plans to be ready to play when the NFL season starts.

Owens' agent Drew Rosenhaus confirmed Tuesday that the 37-year-old star receiver tore his anterior cruciate ligament, had surgery in early April and "will be playing at the start of the NFL season."

In an interview with ESPN, Rosenhaus called speculation that Owens was considering retirement "nonsense" and said the 15-year veteran is doing "fantastic" and could be recovered as early as August.

Rosenhaus said Dr. James Andrews performed the surgery to the same knee in which Owens tore his meniscus late last year.

"The old injury has been repaired," Rosenhaus said. "He is many months into recovery and doing fantastic. No predictions on training camp, but he comes back fast from injuries. I won't rule him out of anything. He will be a starting receiver for someone this year."

As for Owens mulling retirement, Rosenhaus said "all the retirement talk is nonsense. There's been no discussion about that and this injury is not a big deal."

Two of Terrell Owens' former teammates also said the star wide receiver plans to return. Both players spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Tuesday because Owens hasn't publicly discussed the surgery.

Rosenhaus declined to say how the injury occurred.

Last season, Owens had 72 catches for 983 yards and nine touchdowns for the Cincinnati Bengals. He was placed on season-ending injured reserve on Dec. 21, a day after surgery for his torn meniscus.

Comments

[Badger33]

02:07 AM on 06/29/2011

He's strong-willed but mother nature doesn't get kinder as we age. Too bad he burned so many bridges along the way. His future doesn't look bright.

[BlueZoo]

02:23 PM on 06/27/2011

He'll be 38 this year! Time to hang the cleats up for good!

[Bados]

02:58 PM on 06/27/2011

He loves the game and his work ethic will get him back on the field. I say quit when you want to quit.

[BlueZoo]

03:51 PM on 06/27/2011

I agree he loves the game and he does have a strong work ethic; however, a receiver with surgery for a torn ACL is going to have less mobility than, e.g. a QB with the same injury, and it's far more important for the receiver to move obliquely than it is for the QB.

[ydrittmann]

01:38 PM on 06/27/2011

Least effective talented receiver ever?

[Bados]

02:57 PM on 06/27/2011

How does that mix with being 2nd all times in TD's and yards?

[Gigity]

04:49 PM on 06/27/2011

Being the top receiver with most drops. Could have been great, but turned out to be a selfish-clown.

[RusStyles]

06:09 PM on 06/27/2011

Second that Bados...People allow their dislike for the man's persona to prejudice their analysis of the facts. Yes, if he had dropped 15-20% fewer balls he probably would have surpassed Rice. Does that mean he wasn't great...The best test is to listen to the defenders who had to cover him. They call Owens one of the toughest , strongest and fastest WRs to ever play...

[Free Plaxico]

12:23 PM on 06/27/2011

One thing I learned is never ever count T.O. out becuase of injury, but if this is the end for him he has had one heck of a career. I never cared for his me first attitude but the guy could flat out ball, hope the writers don't give him a hard time and do the right thing and put him in on the hall on the first ballet.

[Fletch55]

12:18 PM on 06/27/2011

Probably a career ender for this guy. he didnt have much as far as interest to teams but his age and this injury it might be a career.

[Shawn Wolfe]

10:51 AM on 06/27/2011

One of the greatest receivers ever... He would of passed Jerry Rice in receiving yards had it not been for his bobble hands. The dude drops aloootta passes.. He is still in phenomenal shape for his age.. Even if he comes back at 80% of what he was he could catch 60 balls for 700 yards. Someone will sign him after the injury but I would say for 1 million or 1.5 mil . Long as he is fine with that he will play a few more years

[ThePittsburghKid]

12:00 PM on 06/27/2011

He definitely doesn't have the best hands, nor is he the best route runner, but he has talent. That is why he is so good. His talent compensates for his hands.

[Bados]

02:55 PM on 06/27/2011

Talent? There isnt a professional athlete that doesnt have talent. He is skilled. Of course he has short comings but his skill level and work ethic is what keeps him in the league. Let's not pretend that the guys doesnt make plays that make up for his drops.

[ThePittsburghKid]

10:30 AM on 06/27/2011

If this is the end, is he a first ballot Hall of Famer? Take a look at his numbers: http://oddsonbetting.net/sports-betting-news/nfl-betting/terrell-owens-injury-report/

[Bados]

03:52 PM on 06/27/2011

First ballot stats. There shouldnt even be a question.

[pokypaul86]

10:23 AM on 06/27/2011

Nobody will be playing any football before November anyway! Big Deal, he's a joke!

[Gigity]

09:56 AM on 06/27/2011

Awww, now who's going to pay him to drop really important catches?

[Bados]

02:56 PM on 06/27/2011

Yeah let's pretend he doesnt make plays that make up for his drops. He caught enough balls to be 2nd all time in yards and TD's.

[Gigity]

04:48 PM on 06/27/2011

The great ones don't drop as many important catches as he does..or unimportant catches. Great receivers don't lead the league in dropped passes. But you go ahead and pretend he didn't do that, in addition to sabotaging about 3 or 4 different teams with his selfish ME ME ME attitude.

[beverlyamy1]

09:41 AM on 06/27/2011

hes a joke,his career is over anyway.

[Bados]

02:51 PM on 06/27/2011

2nd all time in touchdowns and yards but he's a joke? LOL

[beverlyamy1]

08:23 AM on 06/28/2011

you his girlfriend?

[RusStyles]

06:15 PM on 06/27/2011

Your post is the joke...Exposing a severe lack of football IQ...

[beverlyamy1]

08:24 AM on 06/28/2011

wtf did he do in cincy?case closed,also randy moss and chad ochobunghole are through.

[media4me2]

09:33 AM on 06/27/2011

Guess I can cross him off my fantasy football list as my 5th (last) receiver.