The Sports Xchange

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan is confident that the team will find a role for wide receiver Devin Hester in the new offense.

“He’s a playmaker,” Ryan said. “Any time that you’ve got guys like that, you’ve got to get the ball in their hands.”

Hester arrived at camp unsure of his role after the Falcons released No. 3 wide receiver Harry Douglas and signed Leonard Hankerson and drafted Justin Hardy in the fourth round.

“It’s still up in the air,” said Hester, who was the fourth receiver last season. “I really don’t know as of right now.”

Ryan believes that Hester proved his worth last season. The team is installing a scheme, and looping Hester into the action may not be an early priority.

“I think he showcased last year just what kind of wide receiver he is,” Ryan said. “He’s a guy who can go out there and give you as many reps as you need from that spot, and he’s going to make plays. I love having guys like that, guys who go out there and do anything that you ask them to do.”

Hester, who is 5 feet 11 and 190 pounds, caught 38 passes for 504 yards and two touchdowns last season.

One of the most prolific return men in football history, Hester holds NFL records for punt return touchdowns (14) and combined return touchdowns (20).

Over his career, he has totaled 3,481 yards on 282 punt returns. He has also added 6,632 yards and five touchdowns on 267 kickoff returns.

Hester led the NFL in yards per punt (13.3), number of kickoff/punt returns (63) and combined kick and punt yards (1,368) in 2014.

–Falcons linebacker Brooks Reed, who struggled with a groin injury over the offseason, was held back in practice with a hip injury on Monday.

“He had a strain so we held (him back),” coach Dan Quinn said. “He participated some. It was more precautionary.”

Reed, who played four seasons with the Houston Texans, signed a five-year, $22 million contract, including $9 million guaranteed.

In addition to Reed, defensive end Cliff Matthews (ankle) and defensive tackle Ricky Heimuli (hip) did not practice on Monday. Quinn said, “They’ll be back hopefully soon.”

–Tight end Jacob Tamme, one of the early stars of training camp, believes the Falcons can have a “dynamic” offense in 2015.

“I think we can have an offense that can be pretty dynamic, but it’s going to take a lot of work,” said Tamme, who spent most of his career with Peyton Manning in Indianapolis and Denver before signing with the Falcons this offseason. “Just kind of one day at a time. Today was the first day with the pads. We just have to keep building and building.”

Tamme is a big fan of Ryan.

“He’s a good quarterback,” Tamme said. “He does everything the right way. One of the main things that I like the most is that he wants to lead at the quarterback position.”

Tamme also admires Ryan’s work ethic.

“He understands the responsibility of being a top quarterback,” Tamme said. “He understands what it takes. He has to be on top of everything all the time. Therefore, you can expect everyone else to be, too.

“He’s a leader at the position. That’s what you want first of all. And then he throws it all the right places, and that gives you a chance to make some plays. He’s been a lot of fun to start working with.”

–QUOTE TO NOTE: “Seriously, I don’t know where it’s at. I don’t know when it’s going to be done. I don’t know if there’s a deadline. I don’t know what’s going on. I’m just here, playing ball.” — Wide receiver Julio Jones on his contract situation. He is scheduled to play the 2015 season under his fully guaranteed $10.176 million option-year salary. Preliminary talks have started for a contract extension.