FLOWERY BRANCH — Falcons return specialist Devin Hester, who has not played all season with a turf toe injury, returned to practice on Monday.
Hester, who started running three weeks ago, is on the team’s short-term injured reserve list and is eligible to return against Tampa Bay on Dec. 6.
“It felt good,” Hester said after practice. “It was my first day back out there really with the ball in my hands. It felt good. I’ve got two more weeks left and hopefully I’ll get all of the kinks and everything out, the fear and the doubt, so that I’m feeling comfortable with my toe.”
While out, Hester continued to work out with the team’s trainers.
“They made sure that I stayed in shape by riding the elipteical and stuff like that,” Hester said. “I was doing the treadmill here and there and lot of pool workouts.”
Hester struggled with the toe through training camp.
“It was a little frustrating because there were times I felt that I could have helped out with some of the situations we were put in,” Hester said. “I’m just glad to be back. Two more weeks left and I’ll be back out there. Today was a big relief for me, just to be back out there with my teammates. …I had to wipe all of the dust off my helmet.”
Hester, formerly of the Chicago Bears, played 2014 with the Falcons. Last season, he played in 16 games with one start, and had 38 catches for 504 yards and two touchdowns. Hester also led the NFL in yards per punt with 13.3, number of kickoff/punt returns (63), and combined kick and punt yards with 1,368 yards.
Eric Weems has handled the kickoff and punt returns this season for the Falcons.
“Weems has held it down,” Hester said. “He’s consistent. They put him in a lot of fair catch positions. He did a good job of carrying it with no turnovers. That’s a big part of it. I tip my hat to him for no turnovers.”
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