The New England Patriots are hosting an oft-injured tight end on a free-agent visit.
Former New York Jets and Miami Dolphins tight end Dustin Keller will visit the Patriots on Wednesday, a source told ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Keller tore his ACL, MCL and PCL during a preseason game with the Dolphins last summer.
The Patriots’ physical on Keller’s knee went “very well,” a source told NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport.
Keller was hindered by groin and ankle injuries in 2012 with the Jets, playing in just eight games and catching 28 passes for 317 yards and two touchdowns. Keller, a Jets first-round pick in the 2008 NFL draft (30th overall), had never missed a game before 2012.
The 6-foot-2, 250-pound tight end’s best season came in 2011 when he caught 65 passes for 815 yards and five touchdowns. He has 241 career receptions with 2,876 yards and 17 touchdowns in five seasons.
In 10 games against the Patriots, Keller has 40 receptions for 509 yards and four touchdowns. His best game against the Patriots came in Week 2 of the 2010 season, when he caught seven passes for 115 yards and a touchdown with the Jets.
Signing Keller wouldn’t preclude the Patriots from drafting a tight end. But if Keller is healthy, he can provide the Patriots insurance for the also oft-injured Rob Gronkowski. Gronkowski and Keller also could coexist in the Patriots’ offense in two-tight end sets.
