AP

The Falcons are off to a 4-0 start without one of the best return men the NFL has known, so what’s another eight weeks?

The Falcons announced that returner Devin Hester will be placed on injured reserve/designated for return, after a lingering turf toe injury failed to get better.

The move will keep Hester off the practice field for at least six weeks, and he’ll be eligible to return for their Week 13 trip to Tampa Bay.

“We have decided to place Devin on short-term IR,” Falcons coach Dan Quinn said. “We have been trying to treat his toe injury the best we could, and he has been doing everything in his power to get back on the field, but at this point we think this is the best plan of action. We are confident this time will let Devin get healthy and be a big contributor to this team once he is back on the field.”

The Falcons also signed safety Charles Godfrey and tight end Tony Moeaki, and released tight end Mickey Shuler.

Hester contributed on offense for the Falcons last year, with 38 catches for 504 yards and two touchdowns. But most importantly, he led the league in punt return average (13.3 yards per return), as well as combined kick/punt return yardage (1,368).