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 endDennis Pitta’scareer 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 cornerbackTavon Youngtore his ACL.
The Baltimore Ravens only announced that Pitta had suffered anon-contact hip injuryin practice, not revealing the severity of the injury. NFL.com’s Mike Garafolo reported that Pitta haddislocated his hipand ESPN’s Adam Schefterreported thatPitta’s career may be in jeopardy. Garafolo also reported that Pittais 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 isCrockett Gillmore, a tight end who’s serviceable, but not nearly as dependable as Pitta was. Beyond Gillmore isMaxx WilliamsandNick Boyle, two tight ends who have been less than impressive.
The Ravens could conceivably look to free agency to sign a replacement. BothGary Barnidge, formerly of the Cleveland Browns, andLadarius Green, a much-hyped relatively young tight end who was released by the Pittsburgh Steelers.
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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 ofJoe Flacco‘s.
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