Ravens release TE Dennis Pitta after third hip injury

In-this-Sept.-21,-2014,-file-photo,-Baltimore-Ravens-tight-end-Dennis-Pitta-reacts-after-an-injury-in-the-second-quarter-of-an-NFL-football-game-against-the-Cleveland-Browns,-in-Cleveland.-Pitta-will-be-placed-on-injured-reserve-after-doctors-advised-him-that-it-was-unsafe-for-him-to-return-from-right-hip-surgery.-The-30-year-old-Pitta-said-Wednesday,-Nov.-11,-2015,-that-he-will-continue-to-rehabilitate-his-injured-hip-with-hopes-of-playing-next-year.-(David-Richard/AP)

In this Sept. 21, 2014, file photo, Baltimore Ravens tight end Dennis Pitta reacts after an injury in the second quarter of an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns, in Cleveland. Pitta will be placed on injured reserve after doctors advised him that it was unsafe for him to return from right hip surgery. The 30-year-old Pitta said Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2015, that he will continue to rehabilitate his injured hip with hopes of playing next year. (David Richard/AP)

WINGS MILLS, Md. — The Baltimore Ravens have released tight end Dennis Pitta with an injury waiver after he hurt his right hip for a third time in practice last week.
   
The injury occurred during an off-season practice session Friday. Each time Pitta hurt the hip previously, the injury was serious enough to be considered career-threatening.
   
That appears to be the case again following his release Wednesday.
   
The 31-year-old Pitta began his career with Baltimore in 2010 and caught a touchdown pass in the Super Bowl when the Ravens won the 2012 NFL title.
   
Pitta first injured his hip in 2013 and hurt it again in 2014. He played in four games in 2013, three in 2014 and sat out the entire 2015 season.

Last year, however, he returned to catch 86 passes, most by a tight end in franchise history.
   
Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome said last week: "Dennis is one of the great Ravens, and he has done everything he can to make our team better."

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