A source confirmed to our own Adam Kilgore a few minutes ago that Patriots receiver Randy Moss did play parts of the 2009 season with a separated shoulder.

The source said that Moss originally sustained the injury against Denver in Week 5. Moss was listed on the injury report with a shoulder injury in October and early November.

The source was unclear on whether surgery would be necessary, although separated shoulders are generally healed through simple rest.

Moss pulled out of the Pro Bowl earlier in the month, and this provides an explanation why. Players are required to explain their injuries when opting out of the Pro Bowl.

The news of Moss’ diagnosis was first reported by ESPNBoston.com.

Well, well, well, I hate to say it, but damn did I tell you so. Randy Moss is one of the most criticized players in the NFL and 2009 was arguably one of his most controversial seasons yet. Twice he was called out publicly by his opposition (Darrel Revis and the entire Panthers secondary) and every week where he didn’t catch ten passes for 100 yards and a touch down he was called out by the media across the country for not giving it his all. This injury won’t make everyone recant whatever they said previously, hell, they probably would say the same things again if they had the chance, but was it not blatantly obvious that Randy Moss just wasn’t right this year? Sure, he had 83 receptions, 1,264 yards, and 13 touchdowns, but there was no acrobatic catches that no one else on the planet makes. There was no break away speed, he was tentative over the middle, and yet, he was still awesome. Ask any player in the league if they would have wanted Randy on their team and they all would have said yes. But yet, he gets scrutinized more than any player in the league. It really is amazing. Injured or not, I’ll take Randy any day of the week.

- Chris