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Ravens TE Dennis Pitta (hip) will not play this season on doctors’ advice

Doctors have told Dennis Pitta that it would not be safe for him to return to the field as he continues to recover from hip injuries.
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Ravens tight end Dennis Pitta will not be activated from the physically unable to perform list due to a lingering hip injury, the team announced Wednesday.

Head coach John Harbaugh told reporters that doctors have told Pitta it would not be safe for him to play, given the recurring nature of his hip injury.

Pitta has not played since Week 3 of the 2014 season, as he has dislocated his hip twice in the last two years. Pitta has been participating in non-contact practice with the Ravens since Oct. 21, and has been seeking to make a comeback this year.

Pitta said earlier this season that if he couldn’t play this year, he would consider retirement. He said Wednesday, however, that he will not retire.

“I’d like to think that if I can’t make it back this year, then what’s going to change next year?” Pitta said in October, according to the team website. “For me, in my mind, I’m working to get back this year. If I can’t, then that might be it.”

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Pitta, 30, was selected by the Ravens in the fourth round of the 2010 NFL draft. He has totaled 1,369 yards on 138 receptions in 50 games for Baltimore.

The injury leaves Pitta’s future with the Ravens in doubt. His salary for next season is not guaranteed, and Baltimore has three tight ends on its roster, including rookie second-round pick Maxx Williams.

- Erin Flynn