FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — 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.

GM 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. “It was a football decision for us at the very end. Not to be evasive about it, we wish him all the luck.”

LIONS: Anquan Boldin is joining the Lions, according to messages on the free-agent receiver’s Twitter account.

Boldin tweeted that he’s excited to reunite with Detroit Coach Jim Caldwell, and he hopes he can help the Lions reach the postseason. Boldin played the past three seasons for the San Francisco 49ers, but prior to that he was with Baltimore for three seasons. In Boldin’s final season with the Ravens, they won the Super Bowl with Caldwell as offensive coordinator.

BROWNS: Wide receiver Josh Gordon, 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.

PACKERS: As his teammates opened practice, Jordy Nelson, 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.

Titans: The Titans agreed to a contract with offensive lineman Will Campbell.

HALL OF FAME: 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: 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).

WASHINGTON: 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.

COLTS: Defensive lineman Arthur Jones blames himself for the failed drug test that led to a four-game suspension.

After arriving at camp, Jones told reporters he had not checked the ingredients of a supplement he was taking or check the supplement with the league office.

Jones was suspended Friday for violating the league policy on performance-enhancing substances.