Houston Texans safety D.J. Swearinger has apologized more than once for his low hit that wiped out the knee of Miami Dolphins tight end Dustin Keller.
Swearinger told The Palm Beach Post on Saturday night that he dove low to avoid a blow to Keller's head, in accordance with league rules, saying: "In this league, you've got to go low. If you go high, you're going to get a fine."
Dolphins right tackle Tyson Clabo was critical of the Texans' rookie after Houston's 24-17 preseason win, and Miami wide receiver Brian Hartline wasn't buying what Swearinger was selling, either.
Hartline on Tuesday called the explanation "crap."
"I think that, me personally ... (what) you're telling me is, 'Oh, I'm still worried about going high or hurting the head,' " Hartline told WQAM-AM. "So you consciously went low then, is what you're trying to tell me."
Said Hartline: "I'm not a defensive player, so I don't sit here and assume right off the bat. But what I do know is that I have a lot of good pros on my team and, from what they have said to me, is that (there) is no place for that in the game today."
Hartline, understandably, isn't happy about losing a teammate, but Swearinger has been contrite about the tackle that ended Keller's season. Today's players are preached at to avoid hits to the head, and the NFL has gone all-in to prevent and treat concussions.
Hartline isn't required to agree with Swearinger's thinking, but judging the safety's intent on the play is, at best, a gray area.
The "Around The League Podcast" is now available on iTunes! Click here to listen and subscribe.
