FANTASY FOOTBALL NFL PLAYERS

Posted: 4/16/2013 11:11pm et

Chicago Bears WR Devin Hester did not work with the wide receivers Tuesday, April 16, during the first day of the team's voluntary minicamp. Instead, he worked all special teams plays, including kicks and punt returns. 'I love it, man,' Hester said after practice. Head coach Marc Trestman said Hester will focus on being the team's return man.

Huddle Up: Hester's catches and receiving yardage have declined in each of the past 3 seasons following his career-best 57-757 campaign of 2009, and the Bears are exploring other options at WR.

Posted: 3/20/2013 1:56pm et

Chicago Bears head coach Marc Trestman said he is uncertain if WR Devin Hester will even practice with the receiving corps this season, let alone play there. He is considered purely a returner for now.

Huddle Up: Good news for those drafting the Bears' return unit that Hester will be allowed to focus on that aspect of his game; he wasn't bringing much to the table as a wideout anyway.

Posted: 2/3/2013 1:17pm et

Chicago Bears WR Devin Hester said he has no plans to retire at this time; however, he may need a change of scenery in the offseason. Hester felt totally ignored on offense, at times. His frustration mounted and he lacked focus as his touches faded both during games and in practice. 'I'm not making any excuses. I know some of the plays I should have made in terms of catching the ball. But I just wasn't feeling it. My mind wasn't there the majority of the time,' Hester said. In terms of seeking a trade, Hester said, 'It's a possibility. I'm loyal to my team. But the fans and my teammates have to understand where I'm coming from.'

Huddle Up: Hester has had a Hall-of-Fame-worthy special-teams career, but if he was going to make an offensive impact, it should've happened already on a team that's perennially been short on play-makers.

Posted: 1/2/2013 1:42pm et

Chicago Bears general manager Phil Emery said he believes WR Devin Hester was just speaking emotionally and that he won't be retiring after a frustrating season. "Obviously, Devin's under contract, so if he sent his retirement papers in, I would know," Emery said. "But I don't anticipate that. I think he's a great competitor. I think that was an emotional situation that evoked an emotional response, and I certainly understand that."

Huddle Up: Hester was likely caught up in the emotion of Lovie Smith's dismissal. He has an offseason to compose himself and report for training camp.

Posted: 12/7/2012 7:22pm et

Chicago Bears WR Devin Hester (concussion), WR Alshon Jeffery (knee) and OT Gabe Carimi (hamstring) practiced Friday, Dec. 7, and are probable for Week 14.

Huddle Up: Good news for the Bears and Jay Cutler's fantasy owners as the team was looking at a WR shortage with Earl Bennett (concussion) already having been ruled out.

Posted: 11/29/2012 7:22pm et

Chicago Bears WR Devin Hester (concussion) was ruled out of the team's Week 13 game.

Huddle Up: As expected, the Bears will not have Hester, hurting the team's return game and WR depth.

Posted: 11/25/2012 5:56pm et

Chicago Bears WR Devin Hester left in the first half of Sunday's Week 12 game after suffering a concussion and did not return.

Huddle Up: Hester didn't have a reception and returned one punt for 6 yards before leaving. His status will be monitored closely throughout the week.

Posted: 10/20/2012 9:49pm et

Chicago Bears WR Devin Hester (quadriceps) and LB Blake Costanzo (thumb) fully participated in practice Saturday, Oct. 20, and are listed as probable for Week 7.

Huddle Up: With rookie Alshon Jeffery out again, expect Hester to continue his mini-midseason surge. Hester has recorded 5 of his 7 receptions, 87 of his 114 receiving yards and his lone TD in the Bears' past 2 games.

Posted: 10/2/2012 3:00pm et

Chicago Bears WR Devin Hester said offensive coordinator Mike Tice made it a point to get him more involved in the offense against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 4 after he voiced his displeasure with his role after the first three weeks. '(Tice) was trying to get me involved in the offense,' Hester said. 'He was trying to get me going. He told me he understood what I felt. And he told me he was glad to see a player who wants to be involved in the offense.'

Huddle Up: Hester entered Monday night's game with only 2 catches for 27 yards, but exceeded those with 3 grabs for 38 yards, including a 34-yard scoring reception, in the win over the Cowboys. Hester will be involved in the offense, but he still remains down on the list of Jay Cutler's top targets behind WRs Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffery, TE Kellen Davis and RB Matt Forte.

Posted: 9/29/2012 11:59pm et

Chicago Bears WR Devin Hester is not happy with his lack of touches on offense this season. Hester has just two receptions and two rushes through three games. 'It's hard being one of the top electrifying players in the league and you're not able to get your hands on the ball as much as you want,' Hester said. 'They know I want the ball. I just have to keep working at it, keep my head up, and get better every day. And don't let it distract me.' Hester is waiting to see the 'Hester Package' the team talked about in the offseason. 'Hopefully it'll come one day,' Hester said. 'I'm trying to figure out when it's going to come. It's a disappointing feeling. I know what I'm capable of.'

Huddle Up: For a 2-1 team, there's definitely a lot of drama in the Windy City, what with QB Jay Cutler dressing down his left tackle and now Hester's unhappiness. With old running mate Brandon Marshall now entrenched as Cutler's top target and the emergence of promising rookie Alshon Jeffery, it only figured to reason that Hester would be less of a factor in the offense.

Posted: 9/8/2012 8:07pm et

Chicago Bears WR Devin Hester will see some time as a kick returner, in addition to a punt returner and wide receiver, in Week 1. Hester will split reps with WR Eric Weems on kickoff returns, although Hester will be first up in the game.

Huddle Up: Hester isn't much of a fantasy WR option, but his special-teams play obviously adds some allure in leagues that reward return TDs.