Dennis Pitta most likely won’t play until Week 14
Baltimore Ravens tight end Dennis Pitta (88) makes a touchdown catch in the second quarter in Super Bowl XLVII at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Jack Gruber-USA TODAY Sports
Baltimore Ravens star tight end Dennis Pitta will make a huge impact on the Ravens offense once he is able to return from a hip injury he suffered in the offseason, and he will greatly aid the Ravens efforts to capture the sixth seed in the AFC and once again make it into the playoffs. It’s been a rough year for the Ravens, especially for quarterback Joe Flacco, so getting a high-level receiving TE like Pitta back would be huge.
Pitta was able to return to practice for the Ravens on Thursday and stated earlier this week that he would take things “slow” on his hip. But with the Ravens in a huge fight for a playoff spot, he could be pressed into playing earlier than expected. Although he hasn’t been ruled out for this week’s big contest against the New York Jets (both of these teams are right in the thick of the sixth-seed race), the chances of Pitta playing this week are extremely slim.
He said, “‘We’ll be smart with it we’re going to see how I feel tomorrow and how I feel the next day and go from there.”
That’s very vague, and the fact that Pitta stated earlier this week that he would take things slow makes it impossible to envision him being out there on Sunday. In fact, well-connected Baltimore Sun beat writer Aaron Wilson believes that Dennis Pitta “most likely” won’t play this week, and he took things a step further by stating that the “best case scenario” is “likely” for Pitta to return in Week 14 for an easy clash with the Minnesota Vikings. He should essentially be ruled out for this week’s game, but watch closely for Pitta’s status for next week’s crucial rivalry matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Since he’s been making big progress, the Ravens could allow him to play in that big game. But at this point, circle Week 14 as Pitta’s most likely return date, and I would honestly be a bit surprised if he doesn’t return by then.