Tight end Dennis Pitta is done for the season, Head Coach John Harbaugh announced Monday.
Pitta had surgery on his right hip in Cleveland on Monday. Harbaugh said he did not have the results of the surgery, but knew it was enough to knock Pitta out.
It's now the second surgery on Pitta's hip in the past year, leading to questions about whether he'll be able to make a full return.
"I don't know the ramifications of that long-term," Harbaugh said. "The specialists, they'll have some information on that. I really don't know, but I'm going to be really hopeful for Dennis' return, and I'm sure we will learn about that in the coming weeks."
Pitta, 29, missed 12 games last season due to a dislocated and fractured hip. He returned for the final four games, a miraculous return after such a horrific injury.
But Pitta re-injured himself without even being touched on Sunday in Cleveland. He was catching a screen pass and trying to turn up the field. He twisted to catch the ball, and when he pivoted back, he "didn't have his right leg anymore," as Harbaugh described.
"I don't know how that can happen," Harbaugh said, leaving it to the doctors.
Pitta signed a five-year contract extension this past offseason and there were big hopes for him entering the year.
The Ravens had seen at what level he could play in 2012 when the former fourth-round pick made 61 receptions for 669 yards and seven touchdowns. He was a natural fit for new Offensive Coordinator Gary Kubiak's tight-end heavy offense.
Before the injury, Pitta was off to a good start and showing once again that he was one of quarterback Joe Flacco's favorite targets. He was second on the team in targets (21), receptions (16) and yards (125), only trailing wide receiver Steve Smith Sr.
The Ravens will now rely more heavily on tight ends Owen Daniels and Crockett Gillmore, fullback Kyle Juszczyk and others. Harbaugh also said the team will look to the free-agent market to potentially add another tight end.
