Welcome back Dennis Pitta

There were four things that made me smile during the Ravens gutsy 13-7 win over the Buffalo Bills on Sunday. The first was Breshad Perriman's remarkable catch, then Mike Wallace’s long touchdown grab, followed by the defense's stout play and most of all, Dennis Pitta's performance.

After the 2011 and 2012 seasons, Pitta looked like he would be one of the best young tight end's in the league for many years to come. His chemistry with quarterback Joe Flacco and Pitta's big play ability helped propel the Ravens to a Super Bowl title four years ago.

Unfortunately, Pitta suffered his first hip dislocation during training camp in 2013 and was lost for the majority of the season before he returned in November. Then Pitta suffered another hip dislocation during week 3 of the 2014 season on a non-contact play and Pitta would miss the rest of the 2014 season along with the entire 2015 campaign. Pitta's future was in doubt and it seemed like his career was over. Doctors informed Pitta that it was not safe for him to continue playing.

Pitta then stated that he had no plans to retire and was going to give it another go. He had decided to take a gigantic risk. One more hit, just one more hit and his career is over. Worse than that is he could very well end up in a wheelchair and nobody wants to see that. It would be absolutely awful, which is why I thought Pitta should've retired. I still believe that.

Despite doctor’s orders, Pitta still wanted to play. Through heart and a whole lot of guts, Pitta displayed flashes of his old self during training camp. On September 11th, 2016, Pitta made his return to the NFL field for the first time in two years.

While I don’t agree with Pitta’s decision to play, it was cool to see him out there with his teammates and doing what he loves. Pitta contributed big time and showed his big play ability once again with his 27 yard reception over the middle to the Buffalo 23 yard line which help set up Justin Tucker's second field goal of the day. Plays like that reminded me so much of his 2011 and 2012 seasons.

Pitta finished the day with 3 catches for 39 yards, but the fact that he was on the field in the first place after suffering two hip dislocations is the ultimate accomplishment of Pitta's day. I wish Pitta the best of luck and good health this season and I will hope that every time Pitta takes a hit, he is able to get up on his own two feet and continue fighting. What Pitta is doing is truly remarkable and risky at the same time. For one day though, it felt darn good seeing Pitta back on the field. We missed you Dennis Pitta and welcome back.

"American Express, he's everywhere you want to be! Don't leave home without him!" - Terrell Suggs