Miami Dolphins tight end Dustin Keller, an offseason free-agent acquisition, left Saturday night's game against the Houston Texans with a leg injury.
Keller was injured midway through the second quarter after being hit by Texans linebacker D.J. Swearinger when the tight end failed to hold onto a Ryan Tannehill pass. Keller immediately grabbed his right knee with both hands.
Many Dolphins players surrounded Keller and gave him pats of encouragement before the veteran was driven off the field.
The former New York Jet signed a one-year deal with Miami in March. He had 28 catches for 317 yards and two touchdowns in eight games during an injury-shortened 2012 season.
Keller had been expected to start ahead of backups Michael Egnew, Charles Clay and rookie Dion Sims.
Miami trailed Houston 14-7 with 7:52 remaining in the first half at the time Keller exited.
Charlie McCarthy can be reached at mac1763@bellsouth.net
or on Twitter @mccarthy_chas.
