FLOWERY BRANCH — Falcons returner/wide receiver Devin Hester is hoping to contribute against the Buccaneers at 1 p.m. Sunday at Raymond James Stadium.
Hester, perhaps the greatest returner of the NFL’s modern era, was activated by the team on Friday. Wide receiver Leonard Hankerson, who’s been battling an hamstring injury, was placed on injured reserve.
“I’m very excited about the situation,” Hester said.
The dynamic Hester was placed on the reserved/injured-designated for return (short-term injured reserve) with a nasty turf-toe injury Oct. 6. He has not played this season.
“It was a long process of rehabbing,” Hester said. “It’s was hard work getting up every morning and going in for treatment. If feels great to back in the locker room, in the huddle and out of the field with the teammates that I have.”
Hester spent the week catching kickoffs along with Eric Weems, who has been handling punt and kickoff duties this season.
“That’s the main thing that I look forward to is getting back on the field and helping out with these guys as much as I can,” Hester said.
“I’m excited and hopefully I can contribute to the game.”
Weems has done a fine job of returning kicks and punts this season for the Falcons.
Weems has 15 kickoff returns for 403 yards (26.9 per carry) with a long of 50 yards. His average of 26.9 is fourth in the NFL among returners with 15 or more returns.
Weems has 19 punt returns for 221 yards (11.6 per return) with a long of 41 yards. Weems has made 16 catches. His average of 11.6 is second in the league among returns with 19 or more returns. Cleveland’s Travis Benjamin leads the league with an average of 12.4.
While Weems has been strong, Hester, if fully recovered, is considered perhaps the greatest returner of all-time. He could put a charge into the team and fear in the hearts of the Tampa Bay coverage units.
“He’s such a unique player and has the speed,” Quinn said.
Hester, formerly of the Chicago Bears, played in 2014 with the Falcons.
Last season, he played in 16 games with one start and caught 38 passes 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.
“His vision and his ability to get top speed in two steps,” Armstrong said. “He’s flat-out explosive. He’s got really good vision. Those are natural traits that obviously you don’t train. He has them. He’s a ball carrier. There is no doubt about that.”
The Bucs are coached by Lovie Smith, who drafted Hester when he was with the Bears.
“I’ve been on the sideline to watch him set about every record that you can set as a returner,” Smith said. “The Atlanta Falcons are a lot better with Devin Hester on the football field. … we’ll have our work cut out playing him.”
