While Kyle Pitts‘ future in Atlanta remains uncertain, his absence from OTA practices has nothing to do with the persistent trade rumblings. Rather, the Falcons tight end is currently sidelined with a strained muscle in his foot, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

[RELATED: Kyle Pitts Drawing Trade Interest]

While plenty of pundits and fans have criticized the former fourth-overall pick’s production, that hasn’t been because of a lack of availability. Besides a 2022 campaign where Pitts was limited to 10 games thanks to a torn MCL, the tight end otherwise hasn’t missed a game during his NFL career. A strained muscle in the foot shouldn’t do much to impact Pitts’ availability for the start of the 2025 campaign, although it could give trade suitors some pause.

We heard earlier this week that multiple teams have reached out to the Falcons about Pitts’ availability. The tight end was described as “relatively available” throughout the offseason, although a deal wasn’t said to be imminent. The team quickly clarified that they weren’t actively shopping Pitts but could be open to the possibility of a trade. It sounded like Pitts had similar feelings about moving on; while the tight end hasn’t requested a trade, he’s reportedly open to a fresh start elsewhere.

Pitts has struggled to live up to his lofty draft stock and subsequent expectations. The Florida product did manage to top 1,000 receiving yards as a rookie, but he hasn’t come close to that mark over the past three years. That includes a 2024 campaign where Pitts finished with 47 receptions for 602 yards, which was his worst showing in any of his three healthy campaigns.

The Falcons picked up Pitts’ fifth-year option, so the tight end is locked in for one more year. As a result, it’s unlikely that teams would view the trade target as anything more than a rental, and the assumed underwhelming offers probably wouldn’t be enough to convince Falcons brass to move on from the starter. In other words, it’s hard to see a true path to a trade.

While Pitts is sidelined with his foot injury, the Falcons will have an opportunity to see what a non-Pitts-led tight ends room will look like. Charlie Woerner is back for another season as a primary backup, although the veteran is more known for his blocking ability. The team was active adding to the position this offseason, acquiring Teagan Quitoriano, Feleipe Franks, Nikola Kalinic, and UDFA Joshua Simon. Those four players should have an extended opportunity to show what they’ve got while Pitts is out of practice.

JUNE 1: ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler confirms the Falcons are not actively shopping Pitts but are open to the possibility of a trade (video link). Pitts himself may be amenable to such a move as well, because while he has not requested a trade and is said to love Atlanta, he may prefer an offense that allows him to be more of a featured target (especially since he is entering a platform year).

MAY 30: Since a productive rookie campaign, Kyle Pitts has not lived up to expectations. The Falcons tight end remains in the team’s plans, but he has been the subject of trade talks.

Multiple teams have reached out to speak about Pitts’ availability, Jordan Schultz of Fox Sports reports. He adds that nothing is imminent at this time. Today’s development is not entirely new, however. Bleacher Report’s James Palmer notes the former No. 4 pick has been “relatively available” throughout the offseason.

After a strong college career at Florida, Pitts faced major expectations given his draft slot. He managed to record 1,026 yards during his debut season, earning a Pro Bowl nod along the way. That campaign only included one touchdown grab, though, and improved red zone production was viewed as a source of improvement moving forward. In different offensive systems and with a number of quarterbacks in Atlanta, Pitts has been unable to match his rookie year or establish himself as a consistent touchdown threat.

Given the Falcons’ decision to pick up Pitts’ fifth-year option, he is owed $10.88MM in 2025. The pending free agent would thus represent an expensive addition on the part of any acquiring team. Swinging a trade for the 24-year-old would no doubt include at least a short extension being worked out upon arrival. To date, Pitts has not done enough to warrant a big-ticket deal or a sizable price on the trade market.

On that point, Schultz reports a Day 2 pick would need to be the starting point for any serious trade talks. He adds Atlanta’s preference would be to keep Pitts in place for at least one more season. The team’s offense also features former top-10 picks in the form of wideout Drake London and running back Bijan Robinson. Expectations are high for those two to continue developing as the Falcons turn to Michael Penix Jr. at quarterback on a full-time basis on 2025.

Pitts has played a full 17 game-slate in three of his four NFL seasons, but since his encouraging rookie campaign he has only averaged between 35.4 and 39.2 receiving yards per game. Especially considering his skillset, increasing that figure will be critical in landing him a notable second contract in the NFL. That effort will likely take place in Atlanta, but an acceleration of trade discussions could pave the way for a swap taking place before the start of the season.

The Falcons have reassembled their skill-position corps from the Matt Ryan era. Julio Jones, Calvin Ridley, Russell Gage and Olamide Zaccheaus are gone, having departed during the Terry Fontenot–Arthur Smith partnership. But Kyle Pitts represents a link to that period. And the Ryan exit has provided a line of demarcation for the former top prospect’s career.

With Ryan at the controls in 2021, Pitts approached Mike Ditka‘s rookie tight end receiving record by totaling 1,026 yards in 17 games. Only Jeremy Shockey (2002) has come within 300 yards of Pitts’ total as a rookie. In the 14 games since, Pitts has accumulated 477 yards on just 39 receptions. The move from Ryan to Marcus Mariota affected Atlanta’s passing attack, and Desmond Ridder now ranks 31st in QBR. But Pitts is also attempting to close the book on a significant injury rehab process.

A grade 2 MCL tear in Week 11 of last season shut down Pitts midway through a disappointing campaign, and while the former No. 4 overall pick was on the field to start this season, Smith confirmed his top tight end is not yet fully recovered.

“Look at him, obviously he’s out there. Again, there are no perfect timetables,” Smith said, via the Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s D. Orlando Ledbetter. “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.”

Pitts has cleared 45 receiving yards in a game just twice since the start of last season, but in addition to his pass-game inconsistency, his blocking ability has impacted his usage, Albert Breer of SI.com notes. Never exactly drafted to impact the game as a run blocker, Pitts does grade poorly in that department for a run-oriented team. Pro Football Focus ranks Pitts as the league’s fourth-worst run-blocking tight end this season.

Although Smith had not yet implemented his full offensive plan in 2021, that setup certainly benefited Pitts compared to the post-Ryan plan. The team brought in Tyler Allgeier and Bijan Robinson in the two ensuing offseasons, leading to the increased run commitment. The Falcons’ 559 rushing attempts led the NFL last season. They are only 13th in rush attempts this year, however. But Pitts has failed to clear the 65% offensive snap barrier in two of Atlanta’s four games. Trade acquisition Jonnu Smith also posted a six-catch, 95-yard effort against the Jaguars. Pitts has not hit six receptions or 95 yards in a game since his rookie year.

This profiles as a pivotal Pitts season. The Falcons must decide on the Florida alum’s fifth-year option in May 2024. While this regime has plenty invested in Pitts, the highest-drafted tight end since the AFL-NFL merger, the soon-to-be 23-year-old pass catcher has skidded off track early. The talented receiver’s performance going forward this season will be rather important for his earning potential.

Kyle Pitts underwent knee surgery Tuesday, and the second-year tight end will not return this season. Falcons HC Arthur Smith ruled out the former No. 4 overall pick from coming back this year.

This is not an especially surprising outcome for Pitts, who suffered a torn MCL in Week 11. He will now have several months to concentrate on knee rehab; Smith said the team is not concerned about this issue lingering into 2023.

Wednesday’s news ends a fairly frustrating season for Pitts, who entered the year after becoming just the second rookie tight end (after Mike Ditka 61 years ago) to surpass 1,000 receiving yards. In Atlanta’s run-oriented offense this season, Pitts amassed 356 yards and two touchdowns on 28 receptions. Pitts, 22, remains a central part of Atlanta’s long-term plan; he is signed through the 2024 season and can be kept on his rookie contract through 2025 (via the fifth-year option).

The highest-drafted tight end since the AFL-NFL merger, Pitts finishes his 2022 season having eclipsed 45 receiving yards in just two games. The Falcons needed plenty from Pitts as a rookie, having traded Julio Jones and having seen Calvin Ridley leave the team midway through the season. The Florida product delivered in a Matt Ryan-centered offense. The Falcons trading Ryan and signing Marcus Mariota soon after turned out to have major ramifications for Pitts, who will aim to move back on track in 2023.

With the Falcons racking up dead money and expected to continue their rebuild, third-round rookie Desmond Ridder was expected to make at least a cameo this season. But the Falcons are unlikely to bench Mariota until they are out of playoff contention. Given the way this year’s NFC South race is unfolding, that may not happen for a while. No Falcon pass catcher has totaled more than 500 receiving yards through 11 games; top-10 pick Drake London has 41 catches for 438 yards.

3:47pm: In a move which comes as little surprise given the severity of the injury, the Falcons have placed Pitts on IR, per a club announcement. He will miss at least he next four games as a result.

11:35am: The Falcons appear to be in line for an extended absence from one of their top young players. Following an MRI on Monday, tight end Kyle Pitts is believed to have suffered a torn MCL, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport (Twitter link).

Rapoport notes that the injury, if confirmed, will require surgery. Pitts will seek a second opinion on the matter before deciding on his next steps. In any case, this news marks a major blow to Atlanta’s passing game, one which was already lacking in accomplished pass-catchers. Pitts was in the midst of a down year in terms of production compared to his Pro Bowl rookie campaign, but he nevertheless ranks third on the team in receiving yards in 2022.

Last year’s No. 4 pick entered the league with massive expectations as the highest-drafted tight end of all-time. He delivered last season, with 68 catches and 1,026 yards. With only one touchdown, though, he had plenty of room to improve heading into Year 2. He has found the endzone just once this season, however, and eclipsed 80 receiving yards in a game only twice. A hamstring injury kept him sidelined for Week 5, his first missed game in the NFL.

This latest ailment will be far more detrimental to the Florida product and the Falcons’ offense, of course. Atlanta ranks 31st in the league with an average of 171 passing yards per game, owing in part to the effectiveness of their rushing attack and in part to a distinct of playmakers in the air. Rookie wideout Drake London leads the team with 409 receiving yards, and will likely be forced to take on a larger role in the passing game moving forward.

With a lengthy – if not season-ending – absence looming, the Falcons will likely turn to a committee approach to replace Pitts at tight end. MyCole Pruitt logged a season-high 31 offensive snaps yesterday with Pitts exiting the contest. Parker Hesse is also in line for an increased workload for the remainder of the campaign, though that pair has combined to make just nine catches so far in 2022. Sitting at 5-6, the Falcons are still in the race for the NFC South title, but their playoff hopes have taken a serious hit.

The Falcons will be without two of their difference-making skill players in Week 5. After placing Cordarrelle Patterson on IR, Atlanta ruled out Kyle Pitts for its game against Tampa Bay.

Pitts is battling a hamstring injury that led to three practice absences this week. The Falcons will give their highly drafted tight end more time to heal up. This will be Pitts’ first missed game as a pro.

Patterson, Pitts and Drake London represent the Falcons’ top weapons, and although Pitts is not on pace to match his strong rookie season just yet, he is obviously a critical part of the franchise’s present and future. The absences of Pitts and Patterson will challenge Arthur Smith‘s offense against the Buccaneers.

The league’s highest-drafted tight end since the AFL-NFL merger (No. 4 overall), Pitts has 10 receptions for 150 yards through four games. Last year, the former Florida dynamo delivered one of the best rookie seasons in the position’s history — a 68-catch, 1,026-yard offering — to secure a Pro Bowl nod and establish himself as Atlanta’s passing-game centerpiece for the foreseeable future.

This will make for an adjustment for the Falcons, who have won two straight. Traditional running backs will replace Patterson, with rookie Tyler Allgeier and Caleb Huntley in place as Atlanta’s top runners. Free agency addition Damien Williams joins Patterson on IR. The Falcons have former UDFA Parker Hesse in place as their No. 2 tight end. Despite his undrafted status, Hesse played 87% of the Falcons’ offensive snaps in Week 4. The Iowa product has three receptions for 32 yards this season.