The Sports Xchange

Baltimore Ravens tight end Dennis Pitta is expected to begin the season on the physically unable to perform list recovering from a hip injury.

Pitta, 30, is entering his sixth season but has played in a total of seven games the past two seasons because of hip injuries. He is still not 100 percent in his recovery from a fractured and dislocated right hip.

Pitta has not been cleared medically and coach John Harbaugh said it’s not a foregone conclusion.

“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,” Harbaugh said last month. “He hasn’t been cleared by the doctors.”

Pitta signed a five-year, $32 million deal after emerging in 2012 as quarterback Joe Flacco’s go-to receiver. He caugh 61 passes and seven touchdowns in the Ravens’ Super Bowl season.

The Ravens drafted Minnesota tight end Maxx Williams in the second round. He could start with Owen Daniels, who played a vital role in Gary Kubiak’s offense last season, joining Kubiak via free agency in Denver.