The Miami Dolphins were one of the biggest spenders in free agency this past offseason after signing names like Mike Wallace and Dannell Ellerbe, but one of their other signings in Dustin Keller could be all for naught, as the tight end injured his knee and will miss the rest of the season, leaving the team to look to free agency and the roster for a new starter.
According to ESPN.com, Keller injured his right knee in the preseason game against the Houston Texans after signing a one-year deal with the team in the offseason and now the Dolphins will have to find another primary player at the position. Keller played with the Jets for five seasons and the report says Keller tore his ACL and MCL as well as his PCL while also dislocating his knee and it happened after the tight end was tackled by DJ Swearinger and his leg bent back in an awkward position, leading to him getting taken off the field in a cart.
Swearinger said he wasn't trying to hurt Keller and that he had the new rules in mind while going low on the tight end and he wished him his best after the injury happened. Keller was one of the top tight tight end free agents in the offseason along with Jared Cook and Martellus Bennett and now he will be out for the rest of the year. The Dolphins re-signed Brian Hartline and added Wallace at wide receiver, but now there is a big hole at tight end and apart from free agents, the team could use Dion Sims, Michael Egnew, Charles Clay and Kyle Miller, who are already on the roster.
Keller joined the team after Anthony Fasano signed with the Kansas City Chiefs and signed a one-year deal for $4.25 million, but he was coming off an injury-plagued season in which he played in just eight games. Before he was injured Keller made one catch for 14 yards and now the team will have to decide between what they have on the roster and names like Randy McMichael, Daniel Graham, Kevin Boss and Travis Beckum still on the market. Keller was set to be a primary target for second-year quarterback Ryan Tannehill and now he will have to find another player to step up.
The Dolphins feel that they can contend in the AFC East and now they will be down one of their prime signings in the offseason and that will put even more pressure on Wallace and Hartline along with running back Lamar Miller. Miami revamped their defense and also drafted Dion Jordan with the number three pick in the draft after trading up with the Raiders. Beckum and Boss are former Giants coming off injuries and both are fairly athletic for the position and could be short-term options. McMichael is a former Dolphins player and he also could be a veteran option to consider.