Is Devin Hester ready for a return? His workout videos look encouraging

Devin Hester was cut by the Atlanta Falcons this offseason, and some wondered whether it might be the end of his career. But based on his recent social-media spree, Hester certainly isn’t among those people.

Hester, 33, has been recovering from toe surgery in January and hopes to play an 11th season in the NFL. Although he was limited to five games last season and might not have many years left, this Instagram video makes him appear to be on the road to recovery.

And for fun, here’s Hester’s post-workout strut … he seems to have that mojo back, eh?

The ability to plant and cut is certainly important for a player of his skill set and job. He’s one of the best returners in NFL history, and even if he doesn’t have a dependable position on offense (he doesn’t have more than 18 catches in a season since 2012), Hester might still be able to contribute for a team seeking a return specialist.

Hester ranks fourth all time in punt-return yardage (and easily could move up to second if he played this season) and 14th all time in kickoff-return yardage (and could move into the top 10 easily). Hester’s 20 non-offensive TDs are the most in league history — more than Deion Sanders and Rod Woodson, even.

Prior to last season, Hester remained effective on returns. He led the NFL in kick returns and yardage in both 2013 with the Chicago Bears and 2014 with the Falcons before having injuries catch up to him last year. He also had one punt-return touchdown in each of those seasons prior to 2015.

Hester added he might be a mere two weeks away from returning to action.

That’s right around the start of the NFL season, though, and some teams might wait until after Week 1 to consider signing perhaps the league’s greatest return man in his prime. As a vested veteran, Hester’s salary would be fully guaranteed if he’s on a team’s roster to start the season.

Perhaps a return to the Bears might be in line. Maybe his former special-teams coordinator, Dave Toub, who is now coaching for the Kansas City Chiefs, could implore his team to make a run at Hester. Keep an eye on the Oakland Raiders, who have been seeking a boost to their return units. New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick is said to be a fan of his, too. Hester said in June when the Falcons released him that seven teams called in to check on his progress back from the toe, so there appear to be interested parties out there.

Brian Mitchell, one of the most accomplished returners of all time, was effective well into his 30s. So don’t dismiss the possibility of Hester getting another chance and perhaps being effective wherever he might land.