Falcons release Hester before camp

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." Coach Dan Quinn said wide receiver Eric Weems will continue to work on punt and kickoff returns. Wide receivers Justin Hardy, Nick Williams and Devin Fuller, a rookie, also will compete on punt returns. Running back Tevin Coleman, the top backup to starter Devonta Freeman, is an option on kickoff returns. The long list of candidates on returns was a factor in the move. "We've got some guys we're pretty pumped up about to see what they can do," Quinn said. Hester apparently saw his release coming. On Wednesday, he posted on his Twitter account "That look on your face when they count you out !!!!! (hash)motivation" Hester was drafted by the Bears as a cornerback from Miami in 2006. He switched to wide receiver and has 255 career catches for 3,311 yards and 16 touchdowns. He had 38 catches for 504 yards with Atlanta in 2014. Hester holds the record with 14 punt returns for touchdowns, including a 68-yarder with the Falcons in 2014. He had a career-high four punt returns for touchdowns in 2007, when he also returned two kickoffs for scores.

Packers WR Nelson can't practice yet

Jordy Nelson called it a "hiccup." How long Packers fans have to hold their breath remains to be seen. As his teammates opened practice Tuesday, Green Bay's talented receiver said a minor issue with his left knee contributed to a delay in his long-awaited return. He will have to wait a little longer to return to practice after having missed the entire 2015 season with a torn ACL in his right knee. That knee, Nelson stressed, feels great. "Through training this summer, I had an incident with the other knee. Nothing serious. Just something minor. A little hiccup in it," said Nelson, who was forced to watch his teammates run through drills. "Our end goal is the same," Nelson said. "We'll be ready for the regular season." Coach Mike McCarthy said he had no long-term concerns about Nelson, either. The Packers had talked about proceeding cautiously with Nelson, anyway. But Nelson, who doesn't like to talk about injuries, realizes that even the hint of a new potential problem might send panic through the Packers' passionate fan base. He sought to ease those concerns. "I'm not worried about it. If it was something more serious, I'd kind of be a little nervous," Nelson said. Later, he added, "Again, not the ACL. No one needs to freak out." Nelson was the Packers' top deep threat when he got hurt in a preseason game 11 months ago. He also displayed an uncanny ability to make tough sideline catches, as if tiptoeing on a high wire. Nelson, paired with Randall Cobb, gave two-time MVP quarterback Aaron Rodgers one of the top receiving tandems in the league. But the offense took a step back last season, in part because of Nelson's absence. Without a consistent deep threat, defenses played press coverage on receivers. This preseason, the Packers have an extra week to prepare because they are playing in the Hall of Fame Game in Canton, Ohio, on Aug. 7. Nelson, who is entering his ninth NFL season, is renowned for his work ethic. He's built chemistry with Rodgers over the years. Rodgers doesn't think it will take that long to rebuild that connection on the field. "Probably a couple days. He's a special guy. We're going to need a little bit of time, not necessarily game reps but just some reps in practice," Rodgers said.

Redskins lose Galette for season

The Washington Redskins were dealt a big blow before the start of training camp when linebacker Junior Galette tore his right Achilles tendon and is out for the season. Galette missed last season with a torn left Achilles tendon. This latest injury came while preparing for camp. He tweeted about it Monday, and coach Jay Gruden confirmed Galette's status Tuesday. "Junior did everything he had to do to get his Achilles ready to play this year, worked as hard as anybody in the weight room getting himself ready and was just doing some standard get-offs, I guess, and popped the other one," Gruden said on Richmond, Virginia, radio station ESPN 950. "It happens. It's kind of weird because a lot of times when somebody tears one Achilles the next one comes soon after." The loss of Galette is a major setback to the defense, which added All-Pro cornerback Josh Norman during free agency. Galette was supposed to boost Washington's pass rush. The coaching staff's plan was to keep Galette out of organized team workouts until camp as he made his way back from the left Achilles injury. In May, Galette said he was as excited as he has ever been during his football career, and Gruden called him "a kid at Christmas" waiting for his chance to play. Galette posted a series of tweets and videos of workouts on Monday and Tuesday with various messages about the injury. He said on Instagram he was more explosive than before he tore his left Achilles tendon and on Twitter he promised to return better than ever. The 28-year-old last played for the New Orleans Saints in 2014 when he had 10 sacks and 45 tackles. The Redskins re-signed him to a $4 million, one-year deal during the offseason. Galette has 31 1/2 sacks and 128 tackles in 64 NFL games, all with the Saints.

Madden, Levy Hall of Fame presenters

Pro Football Hall of Fame coaches John Madden and Marv Levy are among the presenters chosen to welcome the eight-person Class of 2016 at the induction ceremonies on Aug. 6 in Canton, Ohio. Madden will speak on behalf of the late quarterback Ken Stabler, who played for Madden with the Oakland Raiders in the 1970s. The quarterback died in 2015 at the age of 69. Levy will be the presenter for offensive lineman Dick Stanfel, who died last year at 87. The others inductees, and their presenters, are Edward J. DeBartolo, Jr. (daughter, Lisa DeBartolo), Tony Dungy (Donnie Shell), Brett Favre (wife, Deanna Favre), Kevin Green (Dom Capers), Marvin Harrison (Jim Irsay), and Orlando Pace (son, Justin Pace).

Browns' Gordon has quadriceps injury

Josh Gordon's return to football has been sidetracked again. The oft-suspended Browns wide receiver, who was reinstated on a conditional basis by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell on Monday, has a quadriceps injury that will keep him out of training camp for at least two weeks. It's a new setback for Gordon, who hasn't played since 2014 and was suspended all of last season for multiple drug violations. Gordon reported to camp on Tuesday — two days before Cleveland's veterans were required to arrive — and after he took a physical it was determined he needs time to recover from the injury sustained while working out on his own.