Houston Texans tight end Bennie Joppru will miss the entire 2005 season with a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee. The injury took place on Monday during a non-contact drill and an MRI on Tuesday confirmed Joppru's worst fears. He will undergo surgery in the next two-to-three weeks and will likely need six-to-nine months of rehabilitation. This is just the latest setback in the career of the former Michigan standout, who has yet to suit up since being drafted in the second round by the Texans in the 2003 draft. "He's still in shock," Joppru's agent, Ken Zuckerman told the Houston Chronicle. "I think he's wondering what's going on. This is his third year out of football. He was really feeling good about himself and getting back." Joppru, who missed the 2003 and 2004 campaigns due to a groin injury that required surgery, tore his ACL when he planted his foot to make a cut during a drill on the outdoor grass field at Reliant Park. "It was a freak accident," Zuckerman added. "It's been a freaky three years." Joppru, who is slated to earn $380,000 this season, had slipped to fourth on Houston's depth chart, but was expected to compete for a starting job in training camp. "It's extremely frustrating," head coach Dom Capers said. "I feel bad for Bennie. He's worked really hard but he's had terrible luck since he's been here. It'll be the third year in a row that he's had an injury and won't be able to participate. When you're an athlete and you're a competitor, that's awful tough." In a related move, the Texans signed unrestricted free agent tight end Marcellus Rivers , who had been with the New York Giants In four years with the Giants, Rivers caught 27 passes for 227 yards and four touchdowns. He also made 55 special teams tackles, including 25 in 2002 to set a Giants single-season record. The team also released kick returner J.J. Moses on Wednesday.