Ravens Dennis Pitta Could Be Out for the Entire NFL Season
The Baltimore Ravens lost Dennis Pitta to injury on Saturday during day 3 at the team’s training camp. He was carted off the field with a hip fracture and more than likely will be out for the entire 2013-14 NFL season.
It is a major upset for the current Super Bowl champs. The Ravens must find another tight end to try and fill the job of the talented Pitta.
The injury occurred while going for a pass thrown by Joe Flacco. While Pitta was in the end zone, safety James Ihedigbo collided with him.
Pitta was the fourth-round draft pick by the Baltimore Ravens in 2010. In the 2011 season, he became increasingly targeted by quarterback Joe Flacco.
By October of 2012, Pitta was the starting tight end for the team and was instrumental in leading the Ravens to the Super Bowl championship.
Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome is faced with finding a tight end to fill the spot. One possibility is Visanthe Shiancoe, a 10-year veteran tight end in the league.
Shiancoe was seen watching the practice on Saturday seated with the general manager. Pitta’s injury increases the possibility that the Ravens might sign Shiancoe.
Pitta is among the three top receivers for the Ravens. The other two are Torrey Smith and Ray Rice. It is also likely that Newsome will seek a veteran receiver through free agency because of the void in the top three created by Pitta’s injury.
There is also the possibility of recently signed Matt Furstenburg. Furstenburg was signed as an undrafted free agent in April of this year. It is undetermined if the Ravens will use him as a starting tight end.
The Ravens also re-signed tight end Billy Bajema however he was not utilized in this position last season. Instead, he was utilized as a blocker and was targeted by the quarterback Flacco on only one occasion.
Most indications point to the Ravens seeking a veteran tight end to secure another championship spot this season.
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