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With tight end Dennis Pitta out for most of training camp and the preseason with a broken hand, the Ravens needed a body to help Ed Dickson over the next month.

Enter Billy Bajema. The Ravens announced Wednesday that they have signed the veteran tight end as a free agent to help fill the void left by Pitta.

Bajema, who started 12 games for the Rams in 2011 and 25 over the last three seasons, isn’t going to replace Pitta in the passing game. He had just nine catches last season and his career high of 14 is just about what Baltimore got from Pitta in Week 17 and the playoffs. His blocking could be useful in the running game, though, and he’ll have a chance to stay on as the third tight end once Pitta recovers.

Bajema was originally a seventh-round pick of the 49ers in 2005. He played four years in San Francisco before moving to St. Louis and, now, Baltimore.