Baltimore Ravens TE Dennis Pitta’s career in jeopardy after injuring hip

Baltimore Ravens tight end Dennis Pitta’s career may be in jeopardy after he dislocated his hip in OTAs. Pitta has had two other hip injuries in his career.

Baltimore Ravens tight end Dennis Pitta’s career may be in jeopardy after he dislocated his hip in OTAs. This is the third time Pitta has dislocated his hip, and comes just a day after cornerback Tavon Young tore his ACL.

The Baltimore Ravens only announced that Pitta had suffered a non-contact hip injury in practice, not revealing the severity of the injury. NFL.com’s Mike Garafolo reported that Pitta had dislocated his hip and ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that Pitta’s career may be in jeopardy. Garafolo also reported that Pitta is expected to retire.

Baltimore Ravens GM Ozzie Newsome issued a statement about Pitta’s injury, saying, “In unfortunate news, Dennis Pitta re-injured his hip at today’s OTA session and is undergoing tests to determine the severity. This is incredibly disappointing, obviously for Dennis, and for the Ravens. A year ago, he led our team with a career-high 86 receptions, the most ever by a Ravens tight end, and was named a second alternate to the Pro Bowl. Dennis is one of the great Ravens, and he has done everything he can to make our team better.”

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In September of 2014, Pitta not only dislocated his hip, but fractured it as well, which was his second time dislocating his hip. He didn’t play again until this past season, where he had a really good year, as Newsome mentioned. He ended the year with 86 catches, 729 yards, and two touchdowns. That was a career-best year in catches and receiving yards.

This injury just highlights the Ravens’ lack of depth at the tight end position. The immediate backup to Pitta is Crockett Gillmore, a tight end who’s serviceable, but not nearly as dependable as Pitta was. Beyond Gillmore is Maxx Williams and Nick Boyle, two tight ends who have been less than impressive.

The Ravens could conceivably look to free agency to sign a replacement. Both Gary Barnidge, formerly of the Cleveland Browns, and Ladarius Green, a much-hyped relatively young tight end who was released by the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Next: Ravens CB Tavon Young Tears ACL in Practice

Whatever the Ravens decide to do, this injury is a major blow to the already-struggling offense, and something that could set back the team’s passing game even more, as Pitta was a favorite target of Joe Flacco‘s.