Devin Hester: Can Atlanta Falcons Do Without Him?

Devin Hester will go on Injured Reserve as his toe injury battles continue. So the Atlanta Falcons cannot list him as active until Week 13. Does Atlanta even need him?

According to Head Coach Dan Quinn, the Atlanta Falcons will put All-Pro Kick Returner/Wide Receiver Devin Hester on Injured Reserve. Hester cannot practice with the Falcons until six weeks from today’s date (October 6th). He can’t play in a game until Week 13 at Tampa Bay.

However, former Pro Bowl Specialist Eric Weems has handled the return game wonderfully in Devin Hester’s absence. WR Leonard Hankerson is emerging as a favorite target of QB Matt Ryan in new Offensive Coordinator Kyle Shanahan’s system. Can the Atlanta Falcons do without Devin Hester in the long-term?

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The first twelve weeks of the 2015 NFL Season is a massive allotment of games for the Atlanta Falcons to decide if Devin Hester is deserving of a roster spot next season. Hester is in the second year of his 3-year, $9 Million deal with the Atlanta Falcons. He could become a cap casualty during next spring’s free agency period. Cutting Hester would save the Falcons $3 Million.

I see this decision coming down to Atlanta Falcons Special Teams Coordinator Keith Armstrong’s judgement. He was a major advocate for getting Eric Weems back on the Atlanta Falcons roster last fall. Many view Armstrong as a potential NFL Head Coach in the next few seasons, going the John Harbaugh, Dave Wannstedt route as a Special Teams Coordinator.

Armstrong’s special teams unit is solidifying a reputation as one of the best in the NFL. With players like Kicker Matt Bryant, Punter Matt Bosher, and other special teamers like Weems, Nate Stupar, and Allen Bradford, it’s easy to see how the Atlanta Falcons dominate the third phase of the football game.

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The Atlanta Falcons Coaching Staff has previously stated that Eric Weems, Nick Williams, and rookie Justin Hardy can all return kicks for the team if need be. The aerial attack of the Atlanta Falcons has looked just fine without Devin Hester in the lineup. Julio Jones is playing at an All-World level, Leonard Hankerson is an emerging fantasy target, and Roddy White wants to do more than block in this offense.

What I think happens is that Devin Hester’s placement on IR gives rookie Justin Hardy ample opportunities to improve in practice and potentially make the active game roster. We’ve still yet to see the record-setting pass catcher from East Carolina enter an NFL regular season game.

Assuming that Justin Hardy can elevate his performance or if Keith Armstrong feels comfortable with either Eric Weems or Nick Williams returning kicks, the Atlanta Falcons front office may think that the $3 Million owed to Hester could be better used elsewhere. Atlanta may want to strategize how to lockdown some defensive players in the long-term. Perhaps Devin Hester is expendable after this season.

Next: Dan Quinn: Did We Know He'd Be This Good?

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