DJ Swearinger has said that NFL rules mean that players have to make low tackles to avoid getting fined.
The Houston Texans safety has come in for criticism after a hit on Dustin Keller at the weekend left the Miami Dolphins tight end with three torn ligaments and a dislocated knee, ending the 28-year-old's season.
The 21-year-old told the Palm Beach Post: "I was making a hit playing football. In this league, you've got to go low. If you go high, you're going to get a fine.
"I'm sorry that happened. I would think you'd rather have more concussions than leg injuries. Leg injury, you can't come back from that. A concussion, you be back in a couple of weeks."
Swearinger took to Twitter after the game to wish Keller a speedy recovering, adding that the injury was not intentional.
