Ravens TE Dennis Pitta “Optimistic” About Playing This Season

Ravens TE Dennis Pitta recently mentioned that he’s “optimistic” about playing this season after he sustained a second hip injury last year.

“I’m optimistic,” Pitta said, via BaltimoreRavens.com. “I feel good. But obviously it’s a process. I have an idea in mind of where I’d like to be in a couple months, but at the same time you don’t know. I know what it felt like to do this one time. I’ve never known what it felt like to do it twice.”

Pitta stressed that this is what he loves to do and is looking forward to making another comeback.

“I knew I would make an attempt to come back,” Pitta said. “This is what I love to do. Injuries are part of this game and you have to try to overcome them the best you can. You always want to leave this game on your own terms.”

Even after he sustained his first hip injury, the Ravens elected to reward him with a five-year, $32.5 million contract that included $16 million guaranteed.

Pitta, 29, has base salaries of $4 million (2015), $5 million (2016), $5.5 million (2017-2018) coming his way over the remainder of the contract.

In 2014, Pitta was limited to appearing in three games and catching 16 passes for 125 yards receiving and no touchdowns.

Baltimore protected themselves by drafting TE Maxx Williams, who many believed was the best tight end in this year’s draft class.