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The Atlanta Falcons will probably be with out one among their most dynamic offensive weapons for the remainder of the season, head coach Arthur Smith stated on Wednesday. Star tight finish Kyle Pitts was positioned on injured reserve on Nov. 21, a day after what’s now been confirmed as a torn MCL within the Falcons’ 27-24 win over the Chicago Bears. Pitts had surgical procedure on his knee previous to Smith making the announcement that the highest-drafted tight finish within the Common Draft Era — since 1967 — was completed in 2022.
The fourth total decide within the 2021 NFL Draft caught three passes for 43 yards in opposition to Chicago earlier than struggling the harm early within the third quarter. He was hit low by security Eddie Jackson, and Pitts’ proper knee clearly hyperextended. The harm regarded dangerous, however Pitts walked off the sphere underneath his personal energy. It was initially believed Pitts suffered an MCL sprain based mostly on preliminary checks.
The Florida product has caught 28 of 59 targets for 356 yards and two touchdowns in 10 video games performed this season. He has averaged simply 35.6 receiving yards per recreation — which was a big step again from the 60.4 receiving yards he averaged per recreation in his rookie season.
Pitts caught 68 passes for 1,026 yards and one landing in 17 video games final season, making him the primary rookie tight finish to file 1,000 receiving yards in a season since Mike Ditka again in 1961. Pitts additionally broke Julio Jones’ Falcons rookie receiving file.
With Pitts out, Falcons quarterback Marcus Mariota will depend on Parker Hesse, Anthony Firkser and MyCole Pruitt on the tight finish place.
