2023 Injury Breakdowns: Tight Ends Returning from Injury

Every NFL season comes with star players finding their ways onto season-ending IR and question marks through the off-season and preseason as they near the following season. This series discusses key details in the player’s current recovery tract and injury projections for the 2023 seasons and for their dynasty value. Let’s dive in.

Kyle Pitts, TE ATL

This is somewhat of a strange situation, as Pitts has been reported to have had strictly an MCL injury that required surgery, which comes with a 6-8 months timeline typically to return to form. He showed up to camp several weeks past the eight-month mark and was still wearing the stabilization brace and video surfaced showing him moving in a clunky, slow manner. Compared to pre-injury, his acceleration and burst seem to be about 80% of the way there, as well as his change of direction. Looking back at the original injury, it makes me wonder if he also had a significant meniscus injury as well as capsular damage, which would extend his recovery timeline. It was a pretty brutal injury if you go back and watch it.