Dennis Pitta, who overcame a series of hip problems to make it back onto the field, has been hurt again, and this time, it's fair to wonder if his career could be over.
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Fear is Ravens TE Dennis Pitta fractured and dislocated his hip for third time in four years. If so, NFL career likely would be over.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) June 2, 2017
Statement from Ozzie Newsome: "In unfortunate news, Dennis Pitta re-injured his hip at today’s OTA session." pic.twitter.com/Ch7MteEjIi
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) June 2, 2017
Ravens general manager and executive vice-president Ozzie Newsome said, in a statement:
"In unfortunate news, Dennis Pitta re-injured his hip at today's OTA session and is undergoing tests determine the severity. This is incredibly disappointing, obviously for Dennis, and for the Ravens. A year ago, he lead 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."
Pitta has battled serious hip injuries in his career. He underwent hip surgeries in 2013 and 2014, and missed most of the 2014 and all of the 2015 season recovering. The procedures were so serious he said, in an interview, his hip specialist thought his career was over. He told CBS Sports:
"I've seen a lot of hip specialists over the last couple years, and that seemed to be the theme among all of them. I would be too high-risk to take the field, and really, in their minds, it was going to be difficult to be in a position where I felt good enough to play. That was kind of all I was told. It was difficult, certainly, but I just took my rehab one day at a time and just told myself, 'We'll see how I feel down the road.' I got myself in a position where I felt good. And here I am now."
What makes the most recent injury even more concerning is it happened during a non-contact drill. It would be his third hip injury in four year.
Dennis Pitta's third hip injury in four years occurred without the tight end being hit, according to the Ravens.... https://t.co/HHZUteRDNq
— Jamison Hensley (@jamisonhensley) June 2, 2017
Pitta is being evaluated, but, at 31, you have to wonder if the 6-foot-4, 245 pound tight end might be at the end of the line.
After playing in only seven games between 2013 and 2015m Pitta appeared in all 16 games last season, and started 12. He caught 86 balls for 729 yards and two touchdowns.
