While Kyle Pitts has appeared in every game and has been on the field for 69 percent of Atlanta’s offensive snaps, he’s caught just 11 passes for 121 yards with no TDs this season. But after missing much of last season with a torn MCL, Pitts may not quite be fully healthy.

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

The Falcons selected Kyle Pitts at No. 4 overall in 2021 and he had a strong rookie year, catching 68 passes for 1,026 yards with a touchdown. But since then, Pitts’ production has taken a significant dip — and it’s only gotten worse in 2023, the story pointed out. With this news that maybe Pitts isn't fully recovered, it at least gives some hope to owners who drafted Pitts this season, and of course, owners who used a high dynasty first round selection on him in 2021.

You’re not going to like my answer, but I’m not sure we do [see Kyle Pitts become a dominating force]. This doesn’t mean I don’t think he’ll be very valuable this year and into the future. It’s just that in this system, I’m not sure he’s going to be “dominating” in any traditional sense.

The story went on to say the thing about Pitts is his best fantasy football value would be to essentially use him like the Falcons used him in 2021, which is to say as a wide receiver. Miami’s Mike Gesicki was the only tight end to play more snaps split wide than Pitts in 2021 (240 to 227), according to TruMedia. However, Atlanta drafted Pitts with the idea that he was a player with No. 1 wide receiver ability who could also play tight end well enough to give the team true positional flexibility. If Pitts can’t — or just isn’t asked to — block then it handcuffs the Falcons’ ability to manipulate the types of defensive personnel they face, the story went on to say. The piece did add Pitts' blocking ability has been praised this offseason.

Falcons TE Kyle Pitts is OUT FOR THE YEAR, according to Arthur Smith.

Related players: Anthony Firkser, Parker Hesse

The good news is there is no concern about Pitts' long term future. He'll be remembered for being one of the bigger fantasy busts this year at a position that remains very thin at the top of the heap. Pitts should bounce back next season but will likely lose some value for those in dynasty leagues, and he'll likely slip in ADP heading into 2023.

Falcons TE Kyle Pitts is believed to have suffered an MCL sprain on Sunday based on initial tests. He’ll have an MRI on Monday to confirm the diagnosis.

Related Players: MyCole Pruitt, Parker Heese

Let's hope for a speedy recovery for the sophomore tight end, but in fantasy terms, this may be a blessing in disguise for managers who drafted him too early this summer. All Falcons TEs can now remain safely on waiver wires, as the Atlanta passing attack remains unlikely to contribute to fantasy teams.

Falcons TE Kyle Pitts left Sunday's game against the Bears with a knee injury.

Pitts led the Falcons with three catches for 43 yards as it was another day where the Falcons didn't need to throw much. Marcus Mariota went just 13/20 for 131 yards and a touchdown. The ground game and special teams won this game for the Falcons. Still, having Pitts gives Atlanta that extra dynamic so hopefully the knee injury isn't too bad. Head coach Arthur Smith didn't have an immediate update after the game. The Falcons won, 27-24, to move to 5-6 on the season.

Falcons are listing tight end Kyle Pitts - who missed last week’s game due to a hamstring injury and was limited at practice this week - as questionable for Sunday’s game vs. the 49ers.

Related Players: Parker Heese, Anthony Firkser, Drake London

With Pitts missing Week 5, Drake London was surprisingly not used more but less, earning a 28% target share, which is less than the massive 34.7% target share he had up to that point. As for backup tight ends Parker Heese and Anthony Firkser, they combined for three targets and one reception. London is a worthwhile WR3 play whether or not Pitts is on the field, but there are no other options besides.

Did confirm that Kyle Pitts WILL be back to practice this afternoon.

The tweet added they'll keep an eye on him as the week goes on. Pitts missed practice las week before being ruled out, so this is a step in the right direction at least.

Tight end Kyle Pitts has been formally ruled out of Sunday's game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Falcons announced on Friday.

Related Players: Parker Heese, Anthony Firkser

As reported yesterday, though Kye Pitts is a unique brand of athlete on the field, at least some of his usage would presumably fall to the tight ends behind him. None of which will operate out of the slot or out wide, but could be usable as a TE punt in DFS, namely, former Titans TE Anthony Firkser.

Per Michael, there was no Falcons TE Kyle Pitts (hamstring) at the open-to-the-media portion of practice for the second straight day.

Related Players: Parker Heese, Anthony Firkser

Though Kye Pitts is a unique brand of athlete on the field, at least some of his usage would presumably fall to the tight ends behind him. None of which will operate out of the slot or out wide, but could be usable as a TE punt in DFS, namely, former Titans TE Anthony Firkser. For the sake of the Atlanta Falcons puttering pass game, let's just hope this is a minor setback.

Falcons TE Kyle Pitts DNP with a hamstring injury.

Related players: Parker Hesse, Anthony Firkser

Pitts has been missing in the Falcons offense and this is another hit for owners. Hopefully he can get back on the practice field leading up to Week 5. Hesse and Firkser are up next on the depth chart if Pitts can't go.