The Atlanta Falcons placed tight end Kyle Pitts on the injured reserve list last week with a knee injury, but the former No. 4 overall pick won’t be returning this season, according to head coach Arthur Smith.
Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Smith said Pitts is out for the year, although the team doesn’t anticipate any lingering issues going forward, per team reporter Tori McElhaney.
Arthur Smith rules Kyle Pitts out for the year following his surgery.
"Nothing that concerns us going into 2023."
— Tori McElhaney (@tori_mcelhaney) November 30, 2022
Pitts had surgery on his knee after tearing his MCL during the team’s Week 11 win over the Bears. On Tuesday evening. Pitts posted the below picture on his Instagram account following his procedure.
Looks like Falcons TE Kyle Pitts had his procedure done on his right knee.
HT @74Talk pic.twitter.com/3tHA3z2QvV
— Michael Rothstein (@mikerothstein) November 30, 2022
Pitts will officially end his 2022 campaign with 25 catches, 356 receiving yards and two touchdowns. It’s a significant drop off from his 1,000-yard rookie season that set a modern-era record for a tight end.
Falcons quarterback Marcus Mariota had struggled to connect with Pitts this season, causing many fans and fantasy owners to lose their patience. Atlanta currently sits at 5-7, but somehow the team is still just a half-game back from the NFC South-leading Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
At best, Pitts could have returned in Week 16, so it’s not a total surprise to see the Falcons make this move. Look for Parker Hesse and MyCole Pruitt to continue to carry the load with Pitts out.
In Week 12, Pruitt caught Atlanta’s only touchdown of the game.
