Devin Hester
brushed off being named the NFC’s special teams player of the week for the second time in three weeks. He’s more concerned about getting on the field Sunday against the Buccaneers in London.
Hester sat out Wednesday’s practice as he continues to recover from a chest injury. He said he was “hurting” after getting banged up in the 39-10 victory over the Vikings.
Hester had a 98-yard kickoff return for a touchdown Sunday night but the Bucs might pose a much stiffer challenge.
“(The Bucs are) just physical on special teams,” Hester said. “But there are some things we feel we can hurt them with.”
The Bucs rank second in the league in opponents field position after kickoff (18.8-yard line) thanks to the kicking of
Michael Koenen.
And since 2002, the Bucs have surrendered just four kick return touchdowns, tied for third-best in the league.
“I was hoping the Bears would leave (Hester) at home and not bring him to London,” Bucs coach
Raheem Morris
joked. “If he shows up, hopefully we still won’t see him. Hopefully, we can keep him somewhat out of the game.”
Back in action?
Bears receiver
Earl Bennett
returned to full participation in practice Wednesday for the first time since suffering a chest injury in Week 2 in New Orleans. It seems he will play Sunday.
Bennett had three catches for 20 yards in the first two games. He was a reliable target for Jay Cutler last season, particularly on third down. Bennett has averaged 12.6 yards per catch in his career.
“He’s just a dependable guy who does a great job in the slot,” Bears coach
Lovie Smith
said. “He’s not an up-and-down type player. He’s consistent in just about any role we put him in. … We’re eager to get him back out on the field.”
It will be interesting to see how the Bears use rookie
Dane Sanzenbacher
once Bennett returns.
Road to recovery:
Rookie offensive tackle
Gabe Carimi,
who suffered a partial dislocation of his right knee against the Saints, still can’t practice.
“The trainers think I’m right on time and a little bit ahead, to be honest with you,” Carimi said. “Four weeks was my personal goal. We’ll get this going soon, I’m pretty sure.”
Without Carimi in the lineup,
Lance Louis
has done a solid job at right tackle the last two games after the Bears benched struggling veteran
Frank Omiyale.
Extra points:
Robbie Gould
ranks third in Bears career scoring with 739 points and is just 12 points shy of surpassing Hall of Fame running back
Walter Payton.
Gould has kicked 172 field goals and 223 extra points. Former kicker
Kevin Butler
is the franchise’s all-time leading scorer with 1,116 points. … Tight end
Kellen Davis
(elbow) and defensive tackle
Matt Toeaina
(knee) joined Hester and Carimi as Bears held out of Wednesday’s practice. Rookie safety
Anthony Walters
(knee) was limited. … In London, five Bucs sat out practice: defensive end
Michael Bennett
(groin) running back
LeGarrette Blount
(knee), center
Jeff Faine
(biceps), linebacker
Mason Foster
(ankle) and tight end
Kellen Winslow
(not injury related).
