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The Atlanta Falcons made tight end Kyle Pitts the highest-drafted player at his position in the Common Draft Era (since 1967) by taking him fourth overall in the 2021 NFL Draft. He rewarded that faith with 68 catches that went for 1,026 receiving yards and a touchdown — joining Pro Football Hall of Famer Mike Ditka as the only rookie tight ends in league history to eclipse at least 1,000 yards in a season.
However, he hasn’t been close to reaching those heights since, and head coach Arthur Smith is finally explaining what could be the reason. Pitts missed seven games in 2022 with knee complications that ended with him needing surgery for a torn MCL. Following Pitts’ latest performance, two catches for 21 yards in a 23-7 loss against the Jacksonville Jaguars in London, Smith inferred that Pitts isn’t fully healthy.
“Look at him, obviously he’s out there,” Smith said Monday. “There are no perfect timetables. But there are certain things, you see him, and he’s doing really well right now and there are certain things that he can’t [do well]. It’s been a journey back. He’s going to get there.”
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Source link : https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/falcons-arthur-smith-infers-kyle-pitts-isnt-fully-healthy-from-knee-surgery-amid-disappointing-start-to-2023/
Author : Garrett Podell
Publish date : 2023-10-02 22:59:24
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