Falcons QB Michael Penix said Thursday that he plans to throw a lot of passes to Pitts (foot) this year, Justin Felder of FOX 5 Sports Atlanta reports.

EDGE Analysis

Earlier in the day, Falcons coach Raheem Morris said Pitts was medically cleared for training camp but might have "modifications" to his practice plan after missing spring practices with a foot injury. Pitts then went out and made a bunch of big plays during the first practice of camp, prompting Penix to tell reporters there's "gonna be a lot of that" this year. It's a good sign for their chemistry, perhaps, after Pitts got just 10 targets in Penix's three starts last season, thus closing out the year with six or fewer targets in each of Atlanta's last 10 games. William McFadden of the Falcons' official site notes that Pitts mostly worked with the wide receivers (rather than tight ends) during position drills Thursday.

Pitts (foot) is medically cleared for training camp, although Falcons coach Raheem Morris said the tight end may have "modifications" to his practice plan early on, Josh Kendall of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Pitts was present for Atlanta's offseason program but didn't practice, with reports suggesting a foot injury was responsible for his lack of activity. It sounds like he'll have plenty of time to ramp up for Week 1 as he prepares for the fifth and final season of his rookie contract, subject to the lowest expectations of his career after failing to break out (again) in 2024 under a new coaching staff.

Head coach Raheem Morris said Monday the team is being "extremely cautious" with Pitts (foot) and that the tight end won't be seen at OTAs but has "been in every single meeting" and "been in every single thing that we've done other than the field," Terrin Waack of the team's official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

Morris declined to specify the nature of Pitts' current injury, but reports amid his absence from OTAs last week linked the 2021 first-round pick to a foot issue, per Kyle Crabbs of AtoZ Sports. Around the same time, multiple NFL sources floated rumors naming Pitts a possible trade candidate, per Matt Urben of USA Today. Pitts is currently heading into the final season of his rookie deal due to Atlanta's decision to pick up his $10.88 million fifth-year option, and offensive coordinator Zac Robinson said he's expecting the tight end "to take a big jump in Year 2 of the system" in 2025. He scored a career-high four touchdowns in 2024 but had just 47 catches for 602 yards, a step down from his 53 grabs for 667 yards in 2023 and a far cry from his 1,026-yard rookie campaign.

Pitts (foot) is present for OTAs on Wednesday but is not participating in on-field activities due to an injury, Kyle Crabbs of AtoZ Sports reports.

EDGE Analysis

Pitts' absence from the start of OTAs on Tuesday, as well as Wednesday's session, was speculated to be contract-related, but the 24-year-old tight end is simply dealing with a foot issue preventing him from taking part in on-field drills. The Falcons exercised the $10.88 million fifth-year option on Pitts' rookie contract last April, so he enters the 2025 season staring down a contract year. The Florida product has largely disappointed since racking up 1,026 receiving yards as a rookie in 2021, having battled injuries in 2022 then tallying receiving lines of just 53-667-3 in 2023 and 47-602-4 in 2024, though he has now suited up for all 17 games in back-to-back seasons. In three games with Michael Penix under center last year Pitts combined for just seven catches for 66 yards and one touchdown, so it seems crucial that he returns to full health sooner than later so that he can begin establishing a rapport with the second-year quarterback.

Pitts caught two of three targets for 15 yards in Sunday's 44-38 loss to the Panthers.

EDGE Analysis

Pitts finished the 2024 campaign with a quiet day against Carolina. The 24-year-old tight end was mostly a disappointment for fantasy managers this season, totaling just 47 catches on 74 targets for 602 yards and four touchdowns. Pitts will remain under contract with Atlanta in 2025, as the Falcons exercised the $10.88 million team option last April. The Florida product will look to turn things around in a contract year next season, and he'll likely be catching passes from Michael Penix at quarterback with Kirk Cousins expected to be cut in the offseason.

Pitts caught four of five targets for 44 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 30-24 overtime loss to Washington.

EDGE Analysis

Pitts turned in a rare strong fantasy line in Sunday's overtime loss. The underwhelming 2021 first-round pick upped his season marks to 49 receptions, 631 receiving yards and five touchdowns as Week 17 nears a close. Pitts has been a barometer for inconsistency in his four years in the league, making for a risky play as the Falcons prepare to host the Panthers next Sunday.

Pitts caught one of two targets for seven yards in Sunday's 34-7 win over the Giants.

EDGE Analysis

Pitts continued his underwhelming 2024 campaign, with his seven-yard catch representing his lowest yardage total of the season aside from goose eggs in Weeks 4 and 13. The other target Pitts received on the day ended in disaster, as he was unable to corral a Michael Penix inside the Giants' five-yard line and ended up tipping the ball into the hands of cornerback Cor'Dale Flott for an interception. Over his last five contests, Pitts has produced a woeful 7-58-0 receiving line on 17 targets.

Pitts secured all four targets for 28 yards in the Falcons' 15-9 win over the Raiders on Monday night.

EDGE Analysis

The struggling tight end saw a welcome uptick in involvement, even as that came accompanied with a modest receiving yardage total. Pitts' catch and target totals were both team-high figures, and both the reception and yardage tallies also were his best since Week 10. Pitts will look to carry over the momentum into a Week 16 home matchup against the Giants.

Pitts caught one of six targets for 14 yards during Sunday's 42-21 loss to the Vikings.

EDGE Analysis

Pitts was a respectable play during the first half of the season, posting 34 receptions (on 49 targets) for 485 yards and three touchdowns across his first 10 appearances. However, over the past four games, Pitts has two receptions (on 11 targets) for 23 yards. During that stretch, QB Kirk Cousins had some solid yardage totals, but he threw eight INTs and zero TDs. Despite that horrid stretch, the Falcons aren't planning on making a change at QB, even though rookie Michael Penix has looked good in limited action.

Pitts didn't record a catch on two targets during Sunday's 17-13 loss to the Chargers.

EDGE Analysis

Pitts was held without a catch for the second time this season, and over the last four games, he has totaled six receptions on 12 targets for 75 yards. From Weeks 5 to 8, the tight end caught 21 of 27 targets for 314 yards and two touchdowns. However, that stretch is starting to look like an outlier compared to the rest of his season -- 14 catches on 27 targets for 180 yards and a TD across his other eight appearances. It's worth noting Kirk Cousins had his worst game of the season against the Chargers, throwing four interceptions and zero touchdowns, so a bounce-back effort from the veteran QB could mean better production from Pitts moving forward.