The last time Ravens tight end Dennis Pitta took part in a game was on September 21, 2014 when he had three catches as Baltimore beat the Browns in Cleveland.
Pitta fractured and dislocated his hip for the second time during that game, leading to a lot of missed time and serious doubt about whether Pitta would ever play again. He got back on the practice field this year, but didn’t get any preseason action after fracturing his finger during a practice fight. That injury led to a questionable designation for this Sunday, but Pitta is expected to be in the Ravens lineup for the first time in a long time.
“You almost feel like you’re back to your rookie year,” Pitta said, via the team’s website. “It’s a little different because I kind of know what to expect, but it’s been a while. I’m sure once I get out there it’ll all be familiar again like it has been on the field. I’m just excited to be out there; it’s been a long time coming for me. Hopefully I’ll be able to control my emotions and play within myself.”
When the summer opened, Pitta was expected to be a complement to Benjamin Watson at tight end for the Ravens, but Watson was lost for the year with a torn Achilles. That opened the door to a bigger role for Pitta and the chance to make the start of a new season a throwback to the old days.