Pitts (knee) didn't participate in the team portions of Wednesday's practice, D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Falcons have been easing Pitts back into the mix as he bounces back from an MCL injury, but coach Arthur Smith noted Wednesday that the team plans to "put a little more on (the tight end) as we ramp him up," adding "we'll push him a little more next week." With that in mind, it doesn't seem likely that Pitts will see action in Friday's preseason opener against the Dolphins, but the 2021 first-rounder continues to progress and is on track to be a key part of Atlanta's offense come Week 1.

Pitts (knee) ran routes against defenders Monday for the first time this summer, D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Falcons are easing Pitts into training camp after last year's MCL injury, with coach Arthur Smith noting Monday that the tight end is on track with his "return to play" plan. Smith also suggested Pitts could take snaps this preseason, though it'll nonetheless be surprising if the 2021 first-round pick makes more than a token appearance. Concern regarding Pitts' fantasy prospects for 2023 has more to do with his lack of production pre-injury last year than any doubt about his Week 1 status; at this point it seems he's healthy and the Falcons are just being cautious.

Pitts (knee) practiced Wednesday while wearing a brace on his right knee, Michael Rothstein of ESPN.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Pitts was able to run routes Wednesday, though it's unclear if he'll be a full participant once the Falcons start holding full-contact practices. The uber-talented tight end is entering his third season in the NFL and will have his third different Week 1 quarterback in Desmond Ridder in 2023, assuming Pitts can gain 100 percent clearance from knee surgery by the end of the preseason.

Head coach Arthur Smith said that Pitts (knee) will be on the practice field Wednesday, Justin Felder of Fox 5 Atlanta reports.

EDGE Analysis

Pitts will dress for the Falcons' first session of training camp, though he may not be a full participant quite yet. The 2021 first-round pick didn't take part in minicamp due to his ongoing recovery from right MCL surgery, an injury which limited him to just 10 appearances last season. Progressing through training camp without any setbacks would bode well for Pitts, whom fantasy managers are hoping can establish chemistry with quarterback Desmond Ridder and truly break out in Year 3.

Pitts (knee) isn't participating in the Falcons' current minicamp, Josh Kendall of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

That said, coach Arthur Smith noted that Pitts is "trending in (a) positive direction" with regard to training camp. Assuming no setbacks in his recovery from an MCL injury, the 2021 first-rounder is poised to approach the coming season as one of the Falcons' top weapons in an offense that will also feature wideout Drake London and a running attack headed by the combo of Bijan Robinson, Tyler Allgeier and Cordarrelle Patterson. During the 2022 campaign, Pitts logged just 28 catches for 356 yards and two TDs on 59 targets through 10 games, but if he's able to develop good on-field chemistry with presumed starting QB Desmond Ridder, a bounce-back effort could be in store for Pitts in his third season as a pro.

Pitts (knee) isn't practicing this week, Josh Kendall of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Pitts spent the winter rehabbing from November surgery on a Grade 2 MCL sprain, and given the typical return timeline it's possible he's already back to full strength and is just absent from voluntary OTAs or being brought along cautiously. Earlier reports had him on schedule in the recovery process, and Falcons coach Arthur Smith said this week that he expects all the players absent from practice this week to be ready for training camp. The knee is probably less of a concern than how Pitts fits in Smith's run-heavy offense, after he dropped from 60.4 yards per game and 9.4 per target as a rookie to 35.6 YPG and 6.0 YPT last season. The Falcons will continue running often after using the eighth overall pick on RB Bijan Robinson, but it's at least a safe assumption that whatever passing volume they have will largely go to Pitts and WR Drake London. It's harder to say if the trio of top-10 picks -- one from each of the past three drafts -- can help second-year QB Desmond Ridder become an efficient passer.

Falcons tight end coach Justin Peele said Monday that Pitts (knee) is "on schedule" in his recovery, Josh Kendall of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Pitts is recovering from right knee surgery undergone late November to address a Grade 2 MCL sprain. Suffering the injury Week 11 cut Pitts' sophomore campaign short, as he logged just 10 appearances, but there haven't been any hints of concern out of Atlanta about him potentially missing time during offseason workouts. In any case, Pitts should be back to full health well before the start of the 2023 season, barring any setbacks. The athletic tight end posted 1,026 receiving yards as a rookie, and depending on the Falcons' quarterback situation next season, Pitts once again may be a popular option in the early rounds of fantasy drafts.

Head coach Arthur Smith ruled Pitts (knee) out for the season Wednesday, Tori McElhaney of the Falcons' official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

Smith said that the right knee surgery Pitts underwent earlier Wednesday to repair MCL damage is "nothing that concerns us going into 2023." The No. 4 overall pick in the 2021 draft suffered a Grade 2 MCL sprain Week 11 versus the Bears and concludes his sophomore season with 28 catches for 356 and two scores on 59 targets through 10 games. After Pitts posted an outstanding 68-1026-1 receiving line as a rookie, his diminished production in Atlanta's run-heavy offense with Marcus Mariota under center was disappointing to say the least, especially for fantasy purposes. Next season, Pitts' fantasy outlook will heavily depend upon the state of the Falcons' passing offense. In the meantime, Parker Hesse and MyCole Pruitt will hold down the fort at tight end.

Pitts announced Wednesday via his personal Instagram account that he underwent surgery to repair a Grade 2 MCL sprain in his right knee.

EDGE Analysis

While Atlanta hasn't officially announced a recovery timeline for Pitts or revealed whether he'll be able to return this season, the second-year tight end will be sidelined through at least Week 16 after being placed on injured reserve Nov. 21. While Pitts was sidelined in the Falcons' Week 12 loss to the Commanders, Parker Hesse led the Atlanta tight end group with 33 snaps (60 percent), but it was MyCole Pruitt (two catches for nine yards and a touchdown) who was the more productive fantasy option despite playing three fewer snaps.

Falcons head coach Arthur Smith said Wednesday that Pitts will require surgery to address his right knee injury, Michael Rothstein of ESPN.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Smith said that a recovery timetable for Pitts, who was placed on injured reserve Monday, won't be known until after surgery is completed. The Falcons haven't offered details on the extent of Pitts' injury, but multiple reports have suggested that the 2021 first-round pick is dealing with a Grade 2 MCL sprain. Pitts will need to miss a minimum of four games due to his placement on IR, but pending an update from Atlanta after his procedure, it remains to be seen whether the tight end will be able to return this season.