Former Virginia Tech tight end Dalton Keane out for season

New England Patriots tight end and third-round draft pick Dalton Keane is out for the season after being placed on injured reserve, ESPN’s Mike Reiss reports. The former Virginia Tech player has seen limited playing time since being drafted in 2020. Earlier this year he was placed on the physically unable to perform list, and on Saturday he was downgraded to injured reserve.

Due to the timing of being placed on IR now before the season begins, Keane will be ineligible to play for the Patriots this season. As Reiss explains, “unless he is released with an injury settlement, and later returns,” Keane will not play in the NFL in 2021.

Dalton Keane out for season

Keane’s time in New England has been disappointing up until this point, and being placed on injured reserve before the season begins casts doubts on his future with the Patriots. Keane’s injury is undisclosed by the Patriots; so it’s unclear at this time what his rehab or timeframe for returning looks like. On July 23, Keane was placed on the PUP list with hopes that he could be activated during training camp.

With free agency signings at the tight end position like Hunter Henry and Jonnu Smith, Keane’s competition for playing time had already become harder. Missing another entire year after his 2020 season that saw him receive three catches for 16 yards, it seems unlikely that he will have many more opportunities in New England.

The Patriots had planned to use training camp to find roles for Keane in their offense, hoping to have him improve his route running. Keane also was set to take snaps at the fullback position, looking to find a role as a blocking and receiving option.

Keane at Virginia Tech

Drafted in the third round of the 2020 NFL Draft with the 101st pick, Keane was expected to make an impact on the Patriots passing game struggling to replace talent. Head coach Bill Belichick traded up in the draft to select Keane, giving up two 2020 draft picks and a sixth-round pick in the 2021 draft to the New York Jets. In his three years with Virginia Tech, Keane pulled in 59 receptions for 748 yards and eight touchdowns.

While the Hokies didn’t see national success in his time with the team, Keane improved every season before being drafted by the Patriots. Keane signed a four-year deal with New England for $14.5 million, of which only $800 thousand is guaranteed.

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