Ravens release Dennis Pitta with injury waiver

The Baltimore Ravens are moving on from Dennis Pitta after the veteran tight end sustained the third hip injury of his career at an organized team activity session last Friday.

Pitta was released with an injury waiver, the team confirmed Wednesday. The move clears $2.5 million in cap space, according to ESPN.

Pitta re-injured his hip while attempting to catch a pass, and he was unable to put any weight on his leg when he got up, according to the Ravens' website.

MORE COVERAGE:

Calvin Johnson paid back the Lions at least $1 million

Jets' moves to clean house point to ugly rebuild ahead

After playing in just seven games in the previous three seasons due to ongoing hip issues, Pitta had 86 catches in 2016 to lead all NFL tight ends. Along with wide receiver Mike Wallace, he was one of the lone established targets set to return after Steve Smith Sr. retired this offseason.

“Dennis is one of the great Ravens, and he has done everything he can to make our team better," Ravens general Manager Newsome said last week after Pitta's injury.

Both Benjamin Watson (torn Achilles) and Maxx Williams (knee) are still recovering for the Ravens at tight end, leaving Crockett Gilmore, Darren Waller and Nick Boyle available.

***

Follow Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz on Twitter @MikeMSchwartz

PHOTOS: NFL offseason workouts