Dennis Pitta expected to play in 2016

There is not one player who suffered a bigger loss in recent years than Baltimore Ravens’ tight end Dennis Pitta. He has not played since Week 3 of the 2014 season after dislocating and fracturing his hip and now he looks to make a big return this year.

He has been consulting with many doctors and now he looks to get back on the playing field for the Ravens. Right now, he is expected to participate in spring practices and could be ready for full contact this summer.

Pitta has suffered two hip dislocations and fractures over the last three years. He went down with the injury in training camp ahead of the 2013 season and played in the team’s last four games of the year and then had surgery just weeks into the 2014 season, which has kept him out since.

Despite him never being expected to play last season, Dennis Pitta returned to practice in late October. Following the season, he made it clear that he wants to return to the field in 2016.

“I definitely do want to be on the field playing football,” he said in an interview with Glenn Clark Radio in February, adding: “As much as I want to be on the field, there’s also an element of being smart and weighing the risks, which there certainly are big risks in my case.”

If the Ravens are able to get Pitta back, that would be a huge boost for them after using high draft picks on tight ends, taking Crockett Gilmore in the third round in 2014 and Maxx Williams in the second round last year. They also signed veteran Benjamin Watson to a two-year deal this offseason.

Pitta has yet to play a full season since his breakout year in 2012, when he recorded 61 receptions for 669 yards and seven touchdowns in the regular season and 163 yards and three touchdowns on their path to the Super Bowl.

To add to the possibility of him returning this season, Pitta has restructured his contract with the team. There has yet to be any details released on the contract, but he should be able to make up some of the money he lost from his $5 million salary in 2014.

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*Featured Photo (above) credit to USA TODAY Sports

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