It is hard to imagine that the 2025 season has gone so woefully wrong for the Atlanta Falcons. After giving the keys of the franchise to Michael Penix Jr., his first full season as a starter did not go according to plan. He underwent a season-ending surgery to repair a partially torn ACL, which effectively ended their season.
However, given the state of the NFC South, they aren’t completely out of the race for a playoff spot. As a result, a game against the struggling Tampa Bay Buccaneers offers them the ideal chance to get back into the thick of the race. But, with Drake London already out, will they at least have Kyle Pitts in the lineup?
Will Kyle Pitts Play Against the Buccaneers?
One of the biggest swings for a tight end in NFL history (the highest drafted TE ever) landed Pitts with the Falcons in the 2021 NFL Draft. Immediately proving his status, he was named to the Pro Bowl as a rookie.
However, an injury derailed his sophomore season, and he was unable to regain the same level of success. As a result, this year was going to serve as a prove-it season for Pitts in the fifth year of his rookie-scale deal.
So far, in 13 games, he’s up to 631 receiving yards on 62 receptions. He’s been a non-factor in the end zone, notching just one touchdown all year, but he’s on pace to break 800 yards on the season, if he plays all 17 games.
Unfortunately, that seems to be in jeopardy heading into Week 15. After arguably his best performance of the season in Week 14, he was a limited participant in practice on Wednesday. That has directly factored into the injury report.
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While he hasn’t been completely ruled out, the 12th-ranked player on PFSN’s TE Impact will be carrying a questionable designation. As Tori McElhaney of the Falcons’ official website revealed, “Drake London has been ruled OUT. Kyle Pitts and three defensive starters are QUESTIONABLE.”
With London out for the game, Atlanta would hope to have Pitts back in the game. The last two weeks, with London missing the game, Pitts has put up 13 receptions and 172 receiving yards.
While he hasn’t shown enough to be extended to a massive deal this offseason, the upside that made him the fourth overall pick hasn’t completely evaporated. As a result, the Falcons might be tempted to bring him back on a reasonable contract.
