The Sports Xchange

Baltimore Ravens veteran tight end Dennis Pitta is still dealing with the fallout from his second major hip injury in the past two years.

Pitta hasn’t been medically cleared by doctors and his career is in doubt as he tries to return from his second fractured and dislocated right hip within the past two years.

Pitta also has to decide if he wants to attempt to play after getting hurt last September against the Cleveland Browns without being hit. Pitta underwent surgery on his hip for the second time and was placed on injured reserve.

Unlike previous offseason practices, Pitta wasn’t allowed to take part in individual drills at the start of the team’s minicamp and just watched the practice from the sideline.

“A couple of things are going to have to happen for him to play, ultimately,” Ravens coach John Harbaugh said of Pitta, who’s guaranteed $4 million this season under his five-year, $32 million contract regardless of whether he plays again. “No. 1, he has to be cleared by the doctors. And, No. 2, he has to decide if he wants to play because obviously there will be some risk involved. He hasn’t been cleared by the doctors.

“He has been going through, as you saw before, the individual part of practice. Minicamp, unless you’re cleared, you can’t come out to practice. I don’t know if that’s a rule or a policy, but that’s the way it goes here. Until he gets cleared by the docs, he won’t be able to practice and we’ll just have to see where that goes from here.”

–Ravens Pro Bowl guard Marshal Yanda is heading into the final year of his five-year, $20 million contract extension. A four-time Pro Bowl selection, Yanda has signed a total of four contracts since joining the Ravens in 2007 as a third-round draft pick from Iowa.

“I’m focused on the mandatory minicamp right now,” Yanda said. “We’ll worry about that when the time comes. Right now, I’m focused on getting better as a football player. I’m not too worried about it. We’ll get it done when we get it done.”

–One of the primary criticisms of Ravens rookie wide receiver Breshad Perriman in college was his tendency to lose his concentration and drop passes. The speedy first-round draft pick arguably had his roughest practice as he dropped at least three passes, including one deep sideline pass where he had sprinted past cornerback Jimmy Smith and was wide open.

“Just really paying attention, getting too tired and really not focusing,” Perriman said. “I don’t really make excuses for it. They should have been caught, but that’s something that won’t happen too often.”

Perriman didn’t appear fazed by the drops and later caught several passes in full-team drills. At 6 feet 2, 212 pounds with 4.22 speed in the 40-yard dash, Perriman is expected to provide an immediate deep threat.

“I feel like I’m doing good,” Perriman said. “I feel like I’ve got a lot of work to do, though. At the same time, I’m not nearly satisfied with how I’m playing. I’m doing a good job, but I’m striving for more. I expect more from myself.”

–After being absent for three voluntary organized team activities, outside linebackers Terrell Suggs and Elvis Dumervil, cornerback Lardarius Webb, defensive end Chris Canty, tackle Eugene Monroe and Marshal Yanda all reported to the Ravens’ mandatory minicamp.

Tackle Rick Wagner (Lisfranc foot sprain) and center Jeremy Zuttah (hip surgery) are still rehabilitating from injuries along with wide receivers Michael Campanaro (strained quadriceps) and Aldrick Robinson (sprained medial collateral ligament).

Rookie guard Robert Myers didn’t practice because of a shoulder injury.