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The Atlanta Falcons placed tight end Kyle Pitts on injured reserve Monday, meaning he’ll be required to miss a minimum of four games.

Falcons coach Arthur Smith said earlier Monday that Pitts would be out “in the short-term” with a knee injury. NFL Network later reported that an MRI revealed a torn MCL that will require surgery.

Pitts took a hit to his right knee early in the third quarter of Sunday’s 27-24 victory against the visiting Chicago Bears. He had three catches for 43 yards before exiting.

Pitts, 22, has 28 receptions for 356 yards and two touchdowns through 10 starts this season.

He made the Pro Bowl as a rookie first-round pick in 2021, catching 68 passes for 1,026 yards and a touchdown in 17 games (15 starts). He joined Mike Ditka as the only rookie tight ends in NFL history to reach 1,000 yards.

The Falcons also moved defensive lineman Ta’Quon Graham to injured reserve and claimed defensive lineman Jaleel Johnson off waivers from the Houston Texans.

Graham, 23, started nine of 11 games for Atlanta in his second NFL campaign and had 34 tackles but left Sunday’s game with a knee injury. Johnson, 28, had one sack, one fumble recovery and five tackles in three games (one start) for Houston this season.

–Field Level Media