The Baltimore Ravens on Wednesday placed tight end Dennis Pitta on injured reserve with a designation for a possible return and re-signed tight end Billy Bajema.
Pitta dislocated his hip in the team's first contact practice of training camp in late July, and the Ravens originally believed it was a season-ending injury.
But Pitta didn't suffer ligament or cartilage damage, which gives him a chance to come back toward the end of the season.
Baltimore's leading returning receiver from last season, Pitta would be eligible to be activated after Week 8, although he probably won't be healthy enough to return until much later in the season.
Pitta finished last season with 61 catches for 669 yards and seven touchdowns. He had 14 receptions and three touchdowns in the postseason, including a 1-yard touchdown catch in the Super Bowl.
Ed Dickson will start in Pitta's place in Thursday night's season-opening game against the Denver Broncos, and Dallas Clark will be the Ravens' top backup. Bajema is the team's blocking tight end.