National Football League

Royal recovering from hip surgery

Published Feb. 8, 2011 4:32 a.m. ET

foxsports

Denver Broncos wide receiver Eddie Royal is recovering from an offseason hip operation.

Team spokesman Patrick Smyth says the Broncos are hopeful Royal ''will be ready for OTAs in late May.''

Later Monday, Royal tweeted: ''Thanks for all the support and prayers surgery was a success. I look forward to being back on the field and 100 (percent) come May''

A key component of Denver's deep receiving corps, Royal had a bounce-back season in 2010 despite dealing with a nagging groin injury all year. The third-year pro caught 59 passes for 627 yards and three touchdowns. He also averaged 11.9 yards on 25 punt returns and 21.4 yards on five kickoff returns.

Any setbacks in Royal's recovery could open up more playing time for Demaryius Thomas, the Broncos' top draft pick last year who had an injury-plagued rookie season.