Only months after Dennis Pitta capped what the Baltimore Ravens have labeled a “miraculous” season, the franchise has released its recently re-injured tight end.
Pitta, 31, was running drills at an OTA on June 2 when he fell while reaching for a catch. When he tried to get back up, he couldn’t put any weight on one of his legs. Doctors determined he had dislocated his hip, a nightmarish injury that he already suffered twice before in training camp in 2013 and during the regular season in 2014.
Pitta earned an alternate Pro Bowl nod last season, leading all NFL tight ends in receptions (86) and recording 729 receiving yards and two touchdowns. He’s spent his entire seven-year career with the team, which drafted him out of Brigham Young University.
Ravens brass acknowledged the significance of his loss as soon as they found out he was hurt last week. “Dennis is one of the great Ravens, and he has done everything he can to make our team better,” said GM Ozzie Newsome, per BaltimoreRavens.com.
We have released TE Dennis Pitta with an injury waiver. https://t.co/1sujIp9Fyd pic.twitter.com/Mu2jMXeNL2
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) June 7, 2017
Pitta’s injury was one of two in consecutive days. The team also lost second-year cornerback Tavon Young to an ACL injury, and has since signed two others to fill his void.
Cutting Pitta saves the team $2.5 million in salary this season, ESPN reports.
