Joe Buck just explained the incident happened way back in July -- while the two were vacationing in Mexico.

The "Monday Night Football" announcer said in a post on X he and Michelle were on a golf course, when he went to hit a few drives off the 10th tee box. For some reason, Michelle attempted to do some gymnastics nearby -- and by complete accident, one of his golf balls nailed her in her ankle.

The couple said her bone was completely shattered, and for the last few months, she's been rehabbing to try to get better. They were hopeful Wednesday's surgery would help her alleviate some of the nerve damage she suffered.

Check out Buck's video ... somehow both seemed optimistic about the situation -- despite how painful it all sounded.

ESPN reporter Michelle Beisner-Buck spent time on the operating table this week ... and it's all reportedly due to a freak accident involving a golf club and her husband, Joe Buck.

According to Adam Schefter, Michelle sustained a fractured ankle as well as nerve damage after Joe accidentally drove a golf ball into her leg ... and on Wednesday, surgeons opened her up to fix the issue.

Thankfully, Schefter reported the procedure went well -- sharing a photo of a smiling Beisner-Buck in a hospital bed.

The ESPN insider also shared a text Beisner-Buck sent him ... where she joked she'll return to her journalism role on a scooter in the near future.

"Getting ready to roll back," she said.

No word yet from Joe on the situation -- but given he'll be on a microphone for hours next week as the lead man on ESPN's "Monday Night Football" broadcast ... something tells us it won't be long before he comments on the matter.

Michelle and Joe, meanwhile, met over a decade ago and tied the knot in 2014. They have two kids together -- and now, one helluva story to tell as well!