Baltimore Ravens

Ravens TE Dennis Pitta won't play this season, not ready to retire

Published Nov. 11, 2015 10:49 a.m. ET

foxsports

Baltimore Ravens tight end Dennis Pitta will not play this season, heeding the advice of doctors who told him the risk of doing more damage to his twice-dislocated hip was too high.

Pitta will not yet retire, according to The Baltimore Sun, as he plans to continue to build strength in his hip area to reduce the risk of another injury. The six-year veteran had been practicing since Oct. 21, leaving a 21-day window for him to be activated to the 53-man roster. He performed well in practice, and had the option to ignore the doctors' advice, according to Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com. Instead, he will be placed on season-ending injured reserve.

"Obviously I'm extremely disappointed that I won't be out there this season," Pitta said. "Unfortunately I won't be out there this season with my team, but I'll continue to rehab and do everything I can to make sure I'm healthy and put myself in the best position that I can."

"I'll continue to rehab and put myself in the best position I can." https://t.co/XMLIHhdr6o
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) November 11, 2015

Pitta said last month that if he didn't make it back this season, he may have to call it a career. His time with the Ravens may be over regardless. Pitta's contract for 2015 was guaranteed, but that is not the case for next season. With three young tight ends on the roster, Pitta would have to reduce his $5 million base salary greatly to return.

Ravens head coach John Harbaugh said earlier this week that Pitta looked like his old self in practice, but likely wouldn't return unless it was safe. Pitta has worn a non-contact jersey in practice and has gone full speed in recent pregame workouts. Of course, there was no contact involved when he fractured the hip a second time in Cleveland at the beginning of last season.

Pitta is likely as healthy as he's going to get. The probability of re-injury after 2 hip dislocations is high. That's the issue. #Ravens
— Samuel Njoku (@Ravens_Examiner) November 11, 2015

In his last full season in 2012, Pitta recorded 61 catches for 669 yards and seven touchdowns. He has 138 catches for 1,369 and 11 touchdowns in 50 games for his career.

h/t: Baltimore Ravens