25 HP wont go into reverse

[Salttcrab]

After running over some excess netting in the river i pulled to shore to get all the junk out of my prop. On the way back in my motor wasnt wanting to go into gear smoothly(tiller steer w gear selector on shaft.) I took prop off made sure there was no more junk which there wasnt, but now i wm not able to engage reverse? It will grind but wont engage. Trying to avoid mechanic hoping its simple fix.

Any help greatly appreciated

[99yam40]

just a guess, but if you tried to shift it while not running, you may have bent something.
what 25 do you have