The Baltimore Ravens made 15 moves to get down to the league-mandated, 75-player limit. Teams must reduce their roster to 53 players by Sept. 5.
Most significant move: Tight end Dennis Pitta (hip) was moved to the reserve-physically unable to perform list, which doesn't come as a surprise. The Ravens indicated that this was going to happen two weeks ago. This officially means Pitta will miss at least the first six games of the regular season. But getting back Pitta in October is probably a bit optimistic. The hope is he'll return sometime after midseason, although there are no guarantees. Pitta has yet to be cleared to practice since undergoing his second hip surgery in two years. He has been running routes and catching passes after practice and before preseason games. Crockett Gillmore has played well in taking over as the Ravens' starting tight end.
Brent Urban to return? The Ravens placed strong safety Matt Elam on injured reserve, but they kept defensive end Urban on the 75-man roster even though he suffered torn biceps as well. That leaves open the possibility of putting Urban on the injured reserve-designated to return list. Urban underwent surgery on Aug. 11 and he will likely need 12 to 14 weeks to recover. It's possible that he could be healthy enough to return by the end of October. The Ravens are currently thin on the defensive line because of injuries, and defensive end Chris Canty and defensive tackle Timmy Jernigan have struggled to remain healthy. Still, it would be a gamble to use that one-time designation this early on someone unproven like Urban. If a star player like Justin Forsett gets an eight-week injury early in the season, the Ravens could have to use up a roster spot because the option of short-term IR would be gone. Teams can place a player on the IR-designated to return list starting on Sept. 6, a day after the 53-man roster is set.
What's next: The Ravens have plenty of decisions with players on the bubble. Does disappointing second-round pick Arthur Brown find a spot on the team? Do the Ravens carry a seventh receiver in Jeremy Butler? Will the Ravens keep Asa Jackson as their primary returner?
Ravens' moves: PUP: Dennis Pitta (hip); Injured reserve: SS Matt Elam (biceps), CB Chris Greenwood (hamstring), LB Steven Means (groin), TE Allen Reisner (ankle); Cut: WR Aldrick Robinson, WR-KR DeAndre Carter, CB Tramain Jacobs, OT Marcel Jones, OT Darryl Baldwin, OT De'Ondre Wesley, G Leon Brown, WR Trent Steelman, P Justin Manton, LS Patrick Scales.