The Baltimore Ravens suffered another injury during organized team activities.
A day after corner Tavon Youngtore his ACL, veteran tight end Dennis Pitta re-injured his hip, the team announced Friday.
It's brutal news for Pitta, who nearly had his career end after multiple hip injuries wiped away all but seven games from 2013-2015. The 31-year-old bounced back in a big way last season, playing all 16 games and leading the Ravens with 86 receptions -- the most among tight ends in the NFL -- and going for 729 yards and two touchdowns.
The team's official website reported that there was no contact when Pitta suffered the injury. The possession tight end was apparently stretching to make a catch, fell to the ground and tried to get up, but couldn't put weight on his leg.
Pitta suffered a dislocated hip the summer of 2013 and underwent surgery. He returned later that season to catch 20 passes for 169 yards in the final four games of the season. After signing a five-year, $32 million contract in 2014, Pitta re-injured his hip in Week 3 and again underwent surgery. He missed all of 2015 when it was determined unsafe for him to take the field, but he decided against retiring.
NFL Network's Mike Garafolo reported that doctors felt Pitta's second surgery would keep his hip in the socket more than after the first one, but there was always a risk of further injury.
"In this case, now you've got to worry about not only his career but his long-term health," Garafolo said on NFL Network's Up to the Minute Live.
The most recent injury costs Joe Flacco his most reliable target entering 2017. The Ravens have depth at tight end to overcome the loss, but you can't help but feel for Pitta suffering another hip injury.
