FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (AP) – Star return specialist Devin Hester was released by the Atlanta Falcons on Tuesday following an injury-shortened 2015 season.
The 33-year-old Hester is a three-time All-Pro who set an NFL record with 20 career returns for touchdowns. He began his career with the Chicago Bears before signing a three-year, $9 million deal with Atlanta before the 2014 season.
A turf toe injury knocked out most of his season in 2015. He had 269 total return yards during the last five games of the year. He had surgery in January, preventing him from full participation in offseason workouts.
General manager Thomas Dimitroff said the decision to release Hester – two days before the first practice of training camp – was about more than the toe injury.
“He passed his physical,” Dimitroff said Tuesday. “It was a football decision for us at the very end. Not to be evasive about it, we wish him all the luck. We think it’s best for the organization for us to move forward.”