The Super Bowl champion Ravens have lost a key part of their offense after tight end Dennis Pitta suffered a hip injury that will sideline him for the season.
Pitta injured his hip Saturday in practice and had to be carted off the field. While team officials haven't released an announcement, ESPN.com reported and CBSSports confirmed Pitta had surgery for a dislocated hip on Saturday night, ending his season.
He was primed to be a huge cog in their passing attack, essentially replacing departed receiver Anquan Boldin, and he has a close connection with quarterback Joe Flacco.
Pitta was injured in a training-camp collision with safety James Ihedigbo in the end zone.
How Baltimore will respond on offense remains in doubt. The Ravens are looking at options to replace Pitta, and veteran Visanthe Shiancoe is a likely singing. The team met with Shiancoe this week and he had a strong visit, Ravens sources said, acing their conditioning test and seeming like a good fit in a two-tight end scheme similar to New England's. Schiancoe is a former Patriot.
That deal could be completed early this week, and former Pro Bowl fullback Vonta Leach, released earlier this offseason, is also likely to re-sign with the Ravens in the next few days.
