The always controversial and often spectacular NFL career of receiver Terrell Owens, 37, could be in jeopardy.

According to unconfirmed reports, Owens recently suffered an off-season anterior cruciate ligament tear in his knee while filiming The T.O. Show and had it surgically repaired. That type of injury normally requires roughly six months of recovery time, which would put him in the mid-November for a return to action.

For Owens, who essentially is a man without a team, hopes of catching on with a squad for a 16th NFL season could be problematic. What it means is no training camp and an even smaller pool of  teams willing to take a chance on an aging veteran who is likely damaged goods and will almost surely cause problems in the locker room. Oddly, Owens chances of making a team this upcoming season could be improved if talks break down and the NFL lockout seriously delays the start of the 2011 season.

Owens spent a productive one season with the Cincinnati Bengals, catching 72 passes for 983 yards and nine touchdowns opposite Chad Ochocinco in 2010. But as has been the case so often, Owen wore out his welcome with criticism of his teammates and coaches.

Owens, one of the most productive all-time receivers to play the game, was hopeful he would catch on with a team that has a chance to be a contender this season. But this mysterious injury has popped up to put a serious hitch in those plans.

ESPN.com was unable to confirm how Owens injured the knee.  One source apparently told the site that Owens suffered the injury while taping a show on VH1. Another source said the injury happened during a personal workout.

Owens hasn’t confirmed the injury, but you can be sure his confirmation or denial will make its way to his always active Twitter account first.

Contact Terrance Harris at terrancefharris@gmail.com or follow him on Twitter @Terranceharris