Ndamukong Suh’s shoulder injury didn’t occur during his rookie season with the Detroit Lions.

Instead it was an old injury the defensive tackle had lived with since playing at Nebraska, according to a story in Thursday’s Portland (Ore.) Tribune.

Suh had successful surgery on his right shoulder two weeks ago.

“I hurt it at the end of my senior year at Nebraska,” Suh told the Tribune. “Funny, it didn’t really affect me. Something didn’t feel right, but it wasn’t that big a deal. I just continued to play.”

Even though he was voted in as a Pro Bowl starter, he had the surgery done two weeks ago to give him more time to rehab prior to the upcoming season. He’s expected to be in Hawaii for Sunday night’s Pro Bowl, but just to watch.

It was a surprise when it was announced on Jan. 5 that he was having surgery because there never appeared to be a time when he was injured while starting all 16 games.

Suh was the only rookie named to the Associated Press All-Pro team this week. On Feb. 4 he’s a favorite to be named the rookie defensive player of the year.

Imagine what he might be like next season with a healthy shoulder.

(Follow me on Twitter @PaulaPasche.)