Houston Texans D.J. Swearinger says he hit Miami Dolphins Dustin Keller in knees to avoid fine

Well, NFL, I guess you’re damned if you do, damned if you don’t.

The league of course reacts harshly to any blows to the head, so when Houston Texans rookie safety hit Miami Dolphins tight end Dustin Keller during Saturday’s preseason game, he went for the knees on purpose.

It resulted in Keller suffering a catastrophic, possibly career ending injury which saw the former Purdue product tear his ACL, PCL and MCL, all while suffering a dislocated right knee and possible nerve damage.

Swearinger had no ill intent though, but told the Palm Beach Post he went for his knees to avoid any potential ramifications from the league.

Per the Palm Beach Post:

"But Swearinger told me after the game that he was forced to hit low because of the league rules that fine players for making hits to the head.“I was making a hit playing football,” Swearinger said. “In this league you’ve got to go low. If you go high you’re going to get a fine.”"

Teammates of Keller didn’t see it the same way:

"Dolphins right tackle Tyson Clabo had some words for Swearinger after the hit but he said it’s all a blur.“If I did (talk to Swearinger) he wasn’t listening,” Clabo said. “He was doing his little dance or whatever he was doing.”"