Steel City Underground will run a series of articles in 2017 under the ‘rival report’ headline aimed at analysis of the National Football League’s AFC North teams who are rivals to the Pittsburgh Steelers: the Cleveland Browns, Cincinnati Bengals and Baltimore Ravens. These will include team news, player and coaching staff quotes, transactions and critical information from rival camps.

Like other NFL teams, the Baltimore Ravens have entered the offseason training activities (OTAs) in preparation for their upcoming official training camps. This week has not gone smoothly, however. Minor injuries are part of professional athletes getting back onto the field, but losing a player for the season is always one hazard teams try to avoid at all costs.

The Ravens have lost tight end Dennis Pitta for the third time in four straight years and both Tavon Young and Michael Campanaro are dealing with their own injuries, making the Ravens OTAs look like a medical disaster.

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Pitta Finished?

Veteran Dennis Pita may have suffered the worst nightmare any veteran football player can in regards to his athletic career. On Friday, it was confirmed by the Ravens’ official website that Pitta, after missing nearly two seasons with a hip dislocation and then fracture, had entered OTAs on the rebound only to suffer re-injury.

In 2016, Pitta led all NFL tight ends in receptions with 86 for a total of 729 yards and two touchdowns. He looked like he was primed for a great 2017 – then he stretched out to catch a pass in practice, fell hard to the turf and when he was able to stand there was enough pain he couldn’t put weight on the leg.

Just last week, Pitta told the media,

I am not getting as many questions about my hip. I feel good. I got to have a full offseason of just normal preparation. It feels good – feeling healthy.

One of the most reliable playmakers Baltimore has on the roster, Pitta and his comeback had been an exciting one. He had mulled the decision to return to the game after so much rehab time post surgery and felt that players understand the inherent risk of potential re-injury.

There were plenty of questions surrounding whether he’d have enough strength for a return and Pitta answered that on the field. Then tragedy struck once again.

General manager Ozzie Newsome confirmed that Pitta is undergoing tests to determine the severity of the injury. So far, signs seem to be pointing at another season away from football leading to questions of a possible retirement altogether.

This is incredibly disappointing, obviously for Dennis, and for the Ravens…Dennis is one of the great Ravens, and he has done everything he can to make our team better.

Pitta is likely to once again require surgery and faces the tough questions once again as to whether he will return to football or find life after it.

There are several tight ends on the Ravens’ roster, but no one is the weapon Pitta was. Benjamin Watson has yet to practice this offseason after suffering an Achilles tendon injury that cut his 2016 season short. Maxx Williams had a complicated knee surgery that kept him sidelined and he isn’t expected to practice until training camp.

That leaves Crockett Gillmore, Darren Waller and Nick Boyle competing and taking reps until the return of Watson and Williams.

Tavon Young tore his ACL during today's OTAs practice: https://t.co/dzNNhx7Jq9 pic.twitter.com/HEGbCezrhQ

— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) June 1, 2017

Disappointment building after more injuries

The Ravens received more disappointing news when second-year cornerback Tavon Young tore his ACL after going to the air for a ball at practice and landing on a buckled knee. There was reportedly no contact with another player, just bad luck. Young was being prepped to move inside – to the nickel position – after Baltimore drafted 6’0″ Marlon Humphrey in the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft and signed Brandon Carr.

The previous day (Wednesday), wide receiver Michael Campanaro – already suffering from several health issues – sprained a toe. The team has yet to identify it officially as “turf toe” and there is no word on how long he may be sidelined.

The seventh-round pick in 2017 played in four games as a rookie due to a thigh injury and four games the following year due to a back injury. In 2016, Campanaro was forced to miss a long stretch of offseason work and training camp due to a calf injury that eventually resulted in release with an injury settlement and a re-signing, albeit to the practice squad until a December call-up to the 53-man roster.

He’ll be out for a little while. It’s not a serious injury, but it’s a nuisance for sure. He was practicing very well. – Coach John Harbaugh

Those were the worst of the injuries, but not the only or even the last.

CB Sheldon Price also left practice to get evaluated for a potential concussion. DL Carl Davis (strained pectoral) didn't practice today.

— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) June 1, 2017

Baltimore hopes to escape any more setbacks and injuries as they work towards finding an identity after a 2016 season that saw them finish with an 8-8 win-loss record (.500) and second place in an AFC North division that lost some luster. Pitta will be the hardest to replace, but Baltimore has decent depth at tight end and the defensive backfield to compensate.