Dennis Pitta Injury: ‘Reasonable’ chance Baltimore Ravens TE plays this week
Baltimore Ravens tight end Dennis Pitta is interviewed during media day in preparation for Super Bowl XLVII against the San Francisco 49ers at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
Baltimore Ravens tight end Dennis Pitta could make his 2013 season debut this week against the Minnesota Vikings, and Pitta’s return would be huge for a Ravens team that is locked into a tough fight for the final playoff seed in the AFC. The Ravens are the favorites to get into the postseason, especially after their crucial Thanksgiving win over the rival Pittsburgh Steelers. Even though they are the favorites, getting Pitta back would greatly help, since Joe Flacco really trusts him and Pitta is the Ravens No. 2 target. The versatile TE is a key to the Ravens offense, and he makes life easier for everyone. Plus, he’s a darn good pass-catching TE, as he caught 61 passes and had seven touchdowns last year.
According to the Baltimore Sun’s Matt Vensel, Ravens head coach John Harbaugh stated that Pitta has a “reasonable” chance of playing this week against the Vikings. The word “reasonable” is honestly a vague wayw to describe Pitta’s status for Sunday’s game, and it sounds like the Ravens are going to list Pitta questionable. While indications are that he will make his season debut due to plenty of optimism from both Pitta and Harbaugh, it isn’t a sure thing.
If Pitta is able to play, then he would almost certainly be limited in his first game back. Pitta has been making some nice progress on his offseason hip surgery, but his injury was a very significant one and both the Ravens and Pitta definitely recognize this. They have been closely managing his return and taking things slow, so I don’t expect them to rush things now. If all goes well on Sunday, then Pitta will be back to being a full-go when the Ravens face the Detroit Lions for what will be a tough Week 15 contest. He isn’t a legitimate fantasy play this week, but he could make a nice impact for you in the fantasy playoffs in weeks 15 and 16 (New England Patriots).