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Latest Kyle Pitts injury news could explain a lot

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Kelsey Kramer | Last updated 1/10/24

Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts finished the 2023 regular season playing in all 17 games, catching 53 of 90 targets for 667 yards and three touchdowns.

Many would say that Pitts drastically declined as a player from his rookie Pro Bowl year where he logged 68 catches for 1,026 yards and a touchdown.

Others would blame Arthur Smith for underutilizing him and the lack of talent at quarterback, which is very true.

But Pitts' latest Instagram post tells us a lot more.

When Pitts was injured in Week 11 of the 2022 season, reports said that he had only torn his MCL.

On Wednesday, we learned that Pitts not only tore his MCL, but also his PCL and had surgery on both:

Kyle Pitts latest Instagram post discusses having MCL/PCL surgery last year.

Quite an impressive feat to play all 17 games after that. pic.twitter.com/yMGV9K9uRY
— Miles Garrett (@MilesGarrettTV) January 10, 2024

"All 17 games post MCL/PCL surgery.. We taking that as the first Win and THEN had my beautiful son. To all my brothers, Love ya'll because we went through our fair share of stressors but stood tall for each other! Year 4 is going to be prolific. #DikUp." - via Kyle Pitts' official Instagram

Jeff Mueller (PT, DPT) actually called this possibility out months ago on 'X', believing that there was more to Pitts' injury than an MCL tear given his "lack of mobility, scarring and slow recovery," along with the knee brace he was wearing eight months post-surgery.

Kyle Pitts -

More clarity on his actual surgery. Had a feeling it was far more than just MCL given his lack of mobility, scarring and slow recovery.

PCL repaired are complex and slow. His timeline makes complete sense why he didn’t look right nearly all year.

2024 at 100% https://t.co/m40NjqnQJQ pic.twitter.com/i15RIubI6V
— Jeff Mueller, PT, DPT (@jmthrivept) January 10, 2024

A PCL or posterior cruciate ligament is the strongest ligament in the knee which helps prevent one's shin bone from sliding behind the thigh bone.

Per Mueller, PCL injuries are more complex and have a slower recovery time.

Mueller also made note that Pitts will be at 100% for the 2024 season.

This update should give fans some much-needed clarity and hope for the future of the Falcons' former No. 4 overall draft pick, especially under a new head coach.

Still, one has to wonder why the Falcons didn't report the entirety of the injury in the first place.

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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