Dalton Keene - NFL News, Rumors, & Updates

Out in Houston Keene was cut from the Texans' practice squad Wednesday.

Impact Keene signed with the Texans practice squad just one week ago, but it now appears as if the team has decided to move in a different direction. In a corresponding move, Houston added veteran kicker Matthew Wright to its practice squad Wednesday after Ka'imi Fairbairn (lower body) suffered an injury.

NOVEMBER 5, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Joins Texans' practice squad Keene signed with the Texans' practice squad Wednesday.

Impact Following a successful workout with the Texans on Oct. 23, Keene has joined the team's practice squad. The Virginia Tech product last played for Houston in 2023, failing to record an offensive stat across 22 total snaps (14 on special teams, eight on offense).

OCTOBER 29, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Works out for Houston The Texans brought Keene (hamstring) for a workout Tuesday but was not immediately signed, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

Impact Keene was with Houston during training camp, before he was cut with an injury settlement in August. Healthy again, Keene is available and looking for work. Houston began the preparation for Week 8 with two tight ends on the injury report -- Brendan Bates (wrist) and Dalton Schultz (back/shoulder) -- which is likely the reason Keene was brought in for a look.

OCTOBER 23, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Gets cut with injury settlement Houston cut Keene (hamstring) with an injury settlement Friday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

Impact Keene joined Brevin Jordan (knee) on the Texans' injured reserve list with a hamstring injury less than two weeks ago, and now Keene is on track to become a free agent. Once he's back in football shape, he'll be free to sign with another squad and suit up right away.

AUGUST 22, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Suffers leg injury Keene's injury that landed him on season-ending injured reserve is to his leg, per a league source, Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 Houston reports.

Impact It's a dangerous time to be a tight end for Houston, which has placed two members of the room on injured reserve this week. Keene follows Brevin Jordan, who will miss the season due to a knee injury, his second in as many seasons. The Texans signed free agent Tre' McKitty in the wake of those injuries.

AUGUST 15, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Lands on injured reserve The Texans placed Keene (undisclosed) on injured reserve Wednesday.

Impact It's unclear whether the injury has anything to do with the torn ACL that Keene suffered in August of 2024. Regardless, by being placed on IR, the 2020 third-rounder will be forced to miss the entire 2025 season unless he reaches an injury settlement with Houston. The Texans bolstered their tight end depth by signing Tre' McKitty in a corresponding move.

AUGUST 13, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Signs with Texans Keene signed with the Texans on Tuesday, Jonathan M. Alexander of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Impact After trying out on Saturday, Keene has joined the Texans and is expected to practice on Tuesday. The 26-year-old has been in Houston the past two seasons, but missed all of last season due to a torn ACL after appearing in one game in 2023. Fully recovered, he will compete with Cade Stover, Luke Lachey, and Irv Smith for a place on the 53-man roster.

AUGUST 5, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Gets look from Houston The Texans hosted Keene (knee) for a workout Saturday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

Impact Keene was forced to sit for the entire 2024 season after he tore his ACL during a preseason game in August as a member of the Texans. He appears to have fully recovered from the injury, and a reunion in Houston appears to be a possibility. If he were to rejoin the Texans, Keene would compete with Cade Stover, Luke Lachey and Irv Smith for a spot on the 53-man roster.

AUGUST 3, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Goes on IR Keene (knee) was placed on injured reserve Wednesday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

Impact Keene tore his ACL in Saturday's exhibition win over the Giants and will now miss the entirety of the 2024 campaign. It's another tough break for the Virginia Tech product who has struggled to get his career on track since missing the 2021 campaign due to meniscus damage.

AUGUST 21, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Plays 29 snaps Friday Keene (undisclosed) was on the field for 29 snaps in Friday's 20-12 preseason victory over the Steelers, per the NFL's official transaction log.

Impact Keene is cometing with the likes of Cade Stover and Teagan Quitoriano (calf) for a delph role at tight end. He played just one game in Houston last season, but the team opted to give him another look with a reserve/future contract.

AUGUST 10, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Dalton Keene, New England Patriots, Tight End Dalton Keene is a 6-4, 223-pound Tight End from Littleton, CO.

JUNE 10, 2024 • 247SPORTS.COM

Dalton Keene extends Texans' lead with 1-yard TD rush Tight end Dalton Keene extends Houston Texans' lead with a 1-yard touchdown rush.

AUGUST 11, 2023 • NFL.COM

Joins Denver's practice squad Denver signed Keene to its practice squad Saturday, Aric DiLalla of the Broncos' official site reports.

Impact Keene started the season on the Eagles' practice squad after being a casualty of the Patriots' final roster cuts, but he was recently let go by Philadelphia and will get a new opportunity in Denver. The 2020 third-round pick caught three of five targets for 16 yards across six appearances during his rookie season, but he hasn't appeared in an NFL game since.

OCTOBER 16, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Eagles release TE Dalton Keene from the practice squad The Eagles now have an open spot on the practice squad.

OCTOBER 4, 2022 • PHILADELPHIAEAGLES.COM

Patriots Release TE Dalton Keene, Roster at 82 Tight end Dalton Keene had been a frequent absentee throughout training camp, and did not suit up for either of the New England Patriots’ pr...

AUGUST 21, 2022 • NEWSOBSERVER.COM

Patriots release TE Dalton Keene The New England Patriots announced that they have released TE Dalton Keene.

AUGUST 21, 2022 • PATRIOTS.COM

Waived by Patriots The Patriots have waived Keene, Field Yates of ESPN reports.

Impact As Mike Reiss of ESPN.com notes, the 2020 third-rounder often battled injuries during his time with the Patriots. Now it looks like the Virginia Tech product -- who has three regular season catches in six game to his credit -- will look for a fresh start with a new team.

AUGUST 21, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Back to full participation Keene practiced primarily with the scout-team offense during New England's 11-on-11 team periods Thursday, Andrew Callahan of The Boston Herald reports.

Impact Keene's participation in padded team drills Thursday seems to suggest he's fully recovered from an undisclosed injury, which kept him limited during voluntary OTAs and mandatory minicamp earlier this offseason. The tight end also worked with the team's kick coverage unit, which could prove valuable in ensuring his spot on the team's final roster heading into the regular season. Keene will compete with fellow 2020 third-round pick Devin Asiasi for the Patriots' No. 3 tight-end spot.

JULY 28, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Remains limited with knee Keene (knee) is still limited at mandatory minicamp, Zack Cox of NESN.com reports.

Impact Keene remains limited at practice while recovering from the meniscus surgery he had last August. His next major benchmark date will come late next month at training camp, when he'll presumably be ready to ramp up his activity. The tight enters the 2022 campaign as a depth piece behind Hunter Henry and Jonnu Smith.

JUNE 8, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Still limited by knee Keene was only able to practice in a limited capacity during New England's OTAs last week, Zack Cox of NESN.com reports.

Impact It was presumed that Keene had recovered from the surgery he underwent last August for a meniscus injury that held him out for all of 2021, but evidently that's not the case. It's a concerning sign for Keene, who will need to compete for reps behind Hunter Henry and Jonnu Smith. He'll need to participate in some capacity in training camp to be a lock to make the Patriots' 2022 roster.

MAY 31, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Still in backup TE mix Following the 2022 NFL Draft, Keene (knee) and Devin Asiasi remain in the Patriots' backup tight end mix, Matthew Fairburn of The Athletic reports.

Impact While neither of the two 2020 third-rounders are threats to supplant the team's top two tight ends, Hunter Henry and Jonnu Smith, the Patriots would no doubt like to see added contributions from Keene and/or Asiasi. Since being taken 101st overall out of Virginia Tech, Keene has recorded just three catches for 16 yards in six regular-season NFL games. The 23-year-old spent last season on IR, but he's presumably past the knee injury that landed him there and will look to reclaim his roster spot ahead of the 2022 campaign.

MAY 6, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Moves back to IR Keene (knee) shifted back to IR from the reserve/COVID-19 list Tuesday, Doug Kyed of Pro Football Focus reports.

Impact Keene underwent season-ending surgery to repair a meniscus injury in August and was ruled out for the season. Now that he's cleared COVID protocols he can return to rehabbing his knee at the Patriots' facilities to prepare for a return at full strength for the 2022 season.

DECEMBER 22, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Shifts to COVID-19 list Keene (knee) was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list Monday, Aaron Wilson of Sportstalk 790 Houston reports.

Impact Keene underwent season-ending surgery to repair a meniscus injury in August and isn't expected to play this season. However, after being placed in COVID-19 protocols following his positive test, he will have to produce back-to-back negative tests at least 24 hours apart or complete a 10-day quarantine (if unvaccinated) before he's able to return to team facilities.

DECEMBER 13, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Out for season Keene (knee) recently underwent season-ending surgery to address a meniscus injury, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Impact The Patriots placed Keene on the preseason PUP list with an undisclosed injury before training camp kicked off, and the aforementioned procedure will send him to injured reserve for the entirety of the 2021 campaign. According to Rapoport, Keene had a similar surgery during his time at Virginia Tech, and he also spent time on IR last season with a knee issue. In any case, the 2020 third-rounder won't be a part of the Patriots offense this fall, leaving tight end to be covered by newcomers Jonnu Smith and Hunter Henry (as expected) and fellow second-year player Devin Asiasi.

AUGUST 7, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

What Dalton Keene's Move To IR Means For Patriots Tight End Scratch one name off the New England Patriots’ list of roster hopefuls at tight end. The Patriots on Saturday placed second-year tight end D...

AUGUST 7, 2021 • NESN.COM

DALTON KEENE NEWS

NEWS

BIO

STATS

VIDEOS

GAME LOG

INJURIES