Ravens tight end Dennis Pitta's recovery continues on the right path

The Ravens remain hopeful that tight end Dennis Pitta will be able to play at some point this season.

After dislocating and fracturing his hip early during training camp, it was initally thought Pitta was lost for all of 2013. After discovering there was no ligament damage, a bit of hope crept in that he'd be able to return toward the end of the regular season.

With the first week of October setting in, Pitta's recovery has progressed well. He's no longer on crutches and able to move around better. During Friday's practice, he was spotted catching passes on the JUGS machine.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>TE Dennis Pitta was at practice catching footballs off the Jugs machine today. Wearing shorts and a T-shirt.</p>&mdash; Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) <a href="https://twitter.com/Ravens/statuses/386158829857017856">October 4, 2013</a></blockquote>
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After Friday's practice coach John Harbaugh told reporters he's been pleased with what he's seen as Pitta does what he can to work his way back on the field.

"I'll be honest with you, I'm pretty impressed," Harbaugh said. "He's running quite a bit in here on these machines, and as you said, he's out here catching passes. That's a ways away, time-wise. Every time I see Dennis, I guess I have mixed emotions. I'm happy that he's doing so well, and I'm not happy that he's not already out there playing right now. He's doing a good job."

The Ravens will hope to be in contention for the AFC North title once again by the time Pitta is ready to come back, if he's ready to come back. If so, that could add another weapon at a position the Ravens have struggled at during the first quarter of the 2013 season.