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Baltimore Ravens tight end Dennis Pitta hasn't played in a regular-season game since September 2014 and will not do so this season despite his attempt at a potential comeback.

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Pitta Comments on NFL Future

Wednesday, Nov. 11

According to Jamison Hensley of ESPN, doctors have told Pitta "not to play because it isn't safe." He has undergone hip surgeries each of the past two years.

Pitta told reporters he had not made a decision on whether he will retire. The tight end added he was "motivated by a 'sense of duty'" to try to return after receiving a contract extension, per Comcast SportsNet's Bo Smolka.

"No player wants to play their last play being carted off the field," Pitta said, per Luke Jones of WNST.

Pitta said, via Turron Davenport of the Baltimore Times, that he considered going against the doctor's decision, but he "had to consider future quality of life."

On Oct. 21, when asked about retirement, Pitta said: "I would like to think that if I can't make it back this year, what's going to change next year?" via Hensley. "For me, in my mind, I'm working to get back this year. If I can't, that might be it."

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Pitta to Go on Injured Reserve

Wednesday, Nov. 11

Head coach John Harbaugh said Baltimore is "disappointed" Pitta will be heading to the injured reserve list but added the team "understands the circumstances," per Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun.

Pitta's Career Has Been Derailed by Injuries

In addition to missing 13 games last season, the 2010 fourth-round pick out of BYU played in just four regular-season games during the 2013 campaign due to a previous hip ailment.

The simple fact that Pitta is back on the football field is positive news for a Ravens team that has limped to a 2-6 start and has watched its playoff chances weaken with each passing week.

Crockett Gillmore has filled in admirably at tight end for the Ravens this season on the heels of Owen Daniels signing with the Denver Broncos, but he doesn't provide the same dynamism that Pitta does.

Pitta set career marks with 61 catches for 669 yards and seven touchdowns in his last fully healthy season in 2012, and that type of production has been missing from Baltimore's offense ever since.

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