Report: Brady played 2020 season with torn MCL

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady has said he played all of last season with a knee injury, and now the exact nature of the ailment has been revealed.

Brady suffered a torn medial collateral ligament in his left knee during the passer's final season with the New England Patriots, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

The 43-year-old underwent surgery to repair the MCL shortly after winning his seventh career Super Bowl in February. He's since declined to go into specifics about the injury, only saying he knew all of last year surgery would be required, and that it was "pretty serious."

Brady produced one of his best statistical campaigns in 2020 despite the knee issue. The veteran's 40 touchdown passes were the second-most of his career, while his 4,633 passing yards ranked third in the NFL.

The signal-caller didn't participate in the Buccaneers' voluntary offseason program, instead opting to work out with teammates privately before returning for mandatory minicamp in June.

Brady signed a one-year extension with Tampa Bay in March after inking a two-year, $50-million contract as a free agent last offseason.