Falcons release record-setting return man Devin Hester after two seasons

Hester, who began his career with the Bears, played the last two seasons in Atlanta

The Falcons have released 33-year-old Devin Hester.

Originally selected by the Bears in the second round of the 2006 NFL Draft (as a defensive back!), Hester has 255 career receptions though he's best known as one of the NFL's dangerous return men. He holds the record for total career touchdown returns (20 -- 14 punt returns, 5 kickoff returns, 1 missed field goal return), and in 2006 and 2007 he combined for 11 touchdown returns (7 punt returns, 4 kickoff returns).

But Hester, who signed with the Falcons before the 2014 season, was recovering from offseason toe surgery and admitted that he wouldn't be surprised if the team let him go.

"At the end of the day, I feel like it's going to come down to how my toe feels," Hester said told ESPN.com in May. "If my toe isn't ready, then I can't fault them for letting me go because it's a business. I can't go around thinking I'm safe if I'm not playing. I do understand that."

Devin Hester is looking for a new NFL job after being waived by Atlanta. USATSI

But according to the Falcons, Hester's toe wasn't a deciding factor.

"We made a move today with Devin Hester, releasing Devin, and we appreciate all of Devin's contributions over the last couple years. A fine individual," Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff said Tuesday in a statement. "He passed his physical, and it was a football decision for us in the very end. Obviously there are business moves when we make a move like we did with Devin, but that wasn't what was directing our other potential acquisitions, not at all."

Hester was signed through the 2016 season and was set to make $3.8 million in the final year of his deal, according to OvertheCap.com. The Falcons save $3 million in salary-cap space by releasing him.