Hester still in offensive game plan
Quarterback Matt Ryan said the Falcons still plan to use wide receiver Devin Hester, who wasn’t targeted in the passing game against Detroit and didn’t catch a pass for the first time this season.
Harry Douglas’ return to the lineup against the Lions and reclaimed the No. 3 wide receiver position. Douglas caught three passes for 42 yards and picked up a key third down in the fourth quarter with a finger-tip grab.
“Devin is a part of our plan every week,” Ryan said. “Obviously he’s showcased this year what he’s capable of doing and how explosive of a player that he is.”
Hester has been targeted on 25 passes and has 18 catches for 263 yards, but his snaps were cut against Detroit because of the protection concerns which limited the use of the Falcons’ four-wide receiver formations.
“I think it’s important to try and get all of playmakers the ball in space and see what happens,” Ryan said.
Hester went catch-less for the first time this season.
“We’ve had opportunities on third down,” Hester said. “There are plays to be made and as a wide receiver group, we have to make them.”
About the Author
Honored by the Pro Football Hall of Fame in recognition of his "long and distinguished reporting in the field of pro football," D. Orlando Ledbetter, Esq. has covered the NFL 28 seasons. A graduate of Howard University, he's a winner of Georgia Sportswriter of the Year and three Associated Press Sports Editor awards.
