Terrell Owens was just told his NFL career is in the shitter, with little prospect for a turnaround — and he got the word from a judge handling his paternity cases.

T.O. was in L.A. County Superior Court this AM, asking Judge Marc Marmaro to reduce his child support payments in 2 of his 4 ongoing paternity cases, because he's just not pulling in the bucks.

T.O.'s lawyer made it clear — his client is a man without a team and therefore a man without a paycheck. The judge went one step further, telling T.O. his prospects for a comeback are bleak.

Judge Marmaro said, "His NFL career seems to be over. I mean no disrespect." T.O. nodded his head in acknowledgment.

And get this the judge apparently felt sorry for the beleaguered parent, offering him a ray of hope by noting that Kurt Warner went from an Arena League player to a Super Bowl champ. There's a buzz that T.O. may get picked up by an Arena team.

As for reducing his child support, the judge wants to think on it before making a decision.