After suffering two major hip injuries over the past two years, Baltimore Ravens tight end Dennis Pitta still hasn't been cleared for practice by the team. He's currently on the active physically unable to perform (PUP) list, but there's a chance Pitta might be placed on the regular season PUP list. There is also a possibility that Pitta will find himself on season-ending injured reserve unless he shows the team he has the capability of suiting up at any point in the near future. 

While no one was really relying on Pitta to do much this year, the fact that he hasn't even been cleared for contact leading up to the start of the preseason has to be worrisome for his long-term prognosis. With the type of injuries he's suffered over the past two years, there remains a possibility that Pitta may never play again. 

The Ravens, however, did prepare for this possibility when they selected former Minnesota standout Maxx Williams in the second round of the 2015 NFL draft. Williams, a 6-foot-4, 249-pound tight end, is currently listed as the team's backup behind Crockett Gillmore. It was also reported that Williams struggled digesting the playbook during off-season activities. It will be interesting to see how he performs during the preseason. 

Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco loves to utilize his tight ends in the passing game. And without a proven No. 2 wide receiver behind Steve Smith, there should be some targets to go around here. It just remains to be seen who seizes that opportunity during the duration of camp and in the preseason.