BY SEAN DONOVAN
During last year's training camp, Dustin Keller looked every bit like the dynamic receiving threat the Miami Dolphins were looking for at the tight end position.
Unfortunately, a devastating knee injury ended his 2013 season before it could even get started.
Keller developed an instant rapport with Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill, starring in practice and preseason until a torn ACL, PCL, MCL and dislocated knee suffered in the team's third exhibition game put his entire career in jeopardy.
Seven months into his rehab, agent Eugene Parker states that Keller will be ready to play next season, via Barry Jackson of The Miami Herald. The six-year veteran will join a thin free agent tight end class vying for contracts when the signing period starts Tuesday.
The expectation is that Miami will not look to re-sign Keller, despite his big performance in training camp and aforementioned chemistry with Tannehill. H-back Charles Clay thrived in the starting role as a pass-catcher in the void created by Keller's injury.
A reunion with the tight end-needy New York Jets, with whom he spent his first five seasons, seems logical. New York just re-signed blocking specialist Jeff Cumberland to a three-year deal, but is expected to still be in the market for a receiving threat at the position.
The Boston Globe mentioned the Jets as interested in Jermichael Finley, a player of similar style who has yet to be medically cleared from his own catastrophic injury.
Keller and his agent should find out fairly quickly after negotiations open on Saturday how confident teams feel that he can return to his pre-injury form.
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