Hester Focused on Getting Back in Stride After Groin Injury
After missing the last couple of days with a groin injury, Devin Hester participated in an abbreviated morning session of practice.
"I'm feeling pretty good. I came out and ran around a little bit today and broke a little sweat," Hester said.
The Bears wide receiver and punt returner is medically cleared and Hester said he will be in full pads tonight at the team's evening practice.
Hester was impressive during the Bears first week of training camp before the groin injury slowed him down.
"[It] just kind of built up," he said. "I didn't hurt it on any specific plays."
Hester said dealing with injuries is part of the NFL process.
"The coaches always say, 'If you don't get hurt in training camp then you're not working hard enough.' So I guess I'm working hard," he said.
Hester is looking forward to the Bears preseason opener Saturday in San Diego.
"I'm tired of going against the same guys everyday," he said. "I'm pretty sure they're tired of going against us."
Hester is excited about what the Bears new offense can do.
"The players are starting to pick up everything and we're having fun with it," he said. "The way this offense is designed, a lot of receivers are going to get their opportunities."
Most of the focus in camp has been on Hester's role as a wide receiver, but the electrifying return man would like to get some action on special teams during preseason games.
"The past couple of years they [didn't] want me returning anything," Hester said. "I don't know what the plan is for this upcoming preseason, but I always try to sneak one or two in."
Hester believes returning punts in games is the only way to truly prepare for returning punts in games.
"Yeah, I do," he said. "Sometimes they tell me to fair catch, but I give them the look. If I've got an opening, I'm going to sneak one."
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