Houston Texans' DJ Swearinger has wished Miami Dolphins tight end Dustin Keller a "speedy recovery" after accidentally injuring him during Saturday's pre-season match.
Unconfirmed reports have claimed that Keller will miss the entire 2013 season, but Swearinger said that the tackle, which dislocated the player's knee, was within the rules.
"With the rules in this era you've got to hit low," Swearinger told ESPN. "If I would have hit him high, I would have gotten a fine.
"So I think I made the smartest play. I'm sorry it happened and I pray he has a speedy recovery. Right now it's just instinct.
"You see somebody come across the middle, you gotta go low. You're going to cost your team 15 yards. You've got to play within the rules."
Keller started five games last season for the New York Jets.
