NFL

Keller sees himself back in Jet huddle

Dustin Keller admitted yesterday his excitement last month got the best of him.

Eager to play in the Jets’ season opener against Buffalo just days after injuring his hamstring, Keller conceded hurrying back explains why he ended up missing the next four games.

“I know I wanted to come back and I wanted to be there in the first game of the season,” Keller said yesterday. “Did that give me a setback? I think so, a little bit.”

But the veteran tight end wasn’t in the mood for second-guessing because Mark Sanchez’s favorite target — and most reliable weapon — expects to be finally back in the lineup Sunday afternoon when 2-3 Gang Green play host to the 2-2 Colts at MetLife Stadium.

Keller was limited in practice, but that was an accomplishment after four weeks of intensive rehab work on his hamstring that he described as “miserable” and consumed nearly eight hours of every day during the week.

Although Keller predicted he would play against the Colts, Rex Ryan wasn’t as definitive.

“I would say I’m more hopeful Dustin [will play] because his injury has had more time to heal,” Ryan said when asked whether he was more optimistic Keller or wideout Stephen Hill would return sooner. “They’re limited in practice, which is obviously much better than being out.”

The Jets, particularly the embattled Sanchez, no doubt will be relieved to have Keller back on the field. It doesn’t appear to be any coincidence that the only game Keller played this season is also the only one in which Sanchez completed more than 50 percent of his passes.

The Jets routed the Bills 48-28 that day, but Keller said his hamstring immediately felt bad in the locker room afterward. He hasn’t done anything since except rehab and watch his teammates — including replacement Jeff Cumberland — struggle to a 1-3 record in his absence.

The four games are the first Keller has missed due to injury in his five-year NFL career, so the extended absence definitely isn’t a matter of toughness. His comments about having to spend Sundays in front of the TV instead of a Jets uniform only underscore that.

“It’s miserable,” Keller said. “When things aren’t going well and you know you could be one of those factors out there that could help make a difference, it’s tough. I don’t know if I was out there what the big difference would be, but to see plays being run that you’re normally in there for is tough to watch.

“It feels good to be back in the huddle and work with the guys, because when you’re injured and spend all your time in the training room, you almost don’t even feel like a member of the team.”

Keller knew fans were getting impatient, but he said hamstring injuries — especially for players at positions like tight end that rely on quickness — can’t be rushed.

“The way I play is, everything needs to be full speed,” he said.

“When you’re coming off a hamstring, you need to kind of limit yourself and not go full speed,’’ he said. “I kind of pushed it too hard and suffered a setback, so it was good to get that whole week of rest last week. It feels really good now.”