The 2013 NFL season is over before it began for Miami Dolphins tight end Dustin Keller. But comments by the defender who was involved in the play that finished Keller suggest the league's toughening stance on concussion may have created another monster of a problem.
During the second quarter of the Dolphins' game against the Houston Texans, Keller, who came to Miami from the New York Jets in the offseason, was the target of a pass from quarterback Ryan Tannehill when Texans safety D.J. Swearinger intentionally came in low to avoid a helmet-to-helmet collision and make the play.
Swearinger's helmet, however, hit Keller squarely on his right knee, bending the knee backwards. ESPN's Adam Schefter reported that Keller dislocated the knee as well as tearing the anterior cruciate ligament, posterior cruciate ligament and medial collateral ligament.
Fox Sports 1's Alex Marvel reported Sunday that Keller will miss the entire season.
In a tweet that Swearinger posted in wishing Keller a quick recovery, he relayed that he wasn't aiming for the knee, The Sporting News reported.
@JungleBoi_Swagg: "Everybody pray 4 justin keller....i pray you have a speedy recovery bro...and kill it when you get back.... DEFINITELY wasnt intentional."
Swearinger went on to elaborate to the Palm Beach Post that he was so worried about making a helmet-to-helmet hit that he wanted to go low. He hopes the league becomes aware of the potential lower-body injuries as a result of their new way of dealing with concussions caused by helmet-to-helmet collisions.
"The rules say you can't hit high so I went low and I'm sorry that happened," Swearinger told The Palm Beach Post. "I would think you'd rather have more concussions than leg injuries. Leg injury, you can't come back from that. A concussion, you be back in a couple in a couple of weeks."
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