The Facts:
Hester may be the best return man in NFL history, but that doesn't mean that's his primary role in Chicago. The Chicago Tribune connects the dots with the addition of Eric Weems and Devin Thomas, two players with experience as kickoff returners, and notes that last year Johnny Knox averaged more yards per kickoff return than Hester, and says it all adds up to the Bears making Hester an integral part of the offense at WR and cutting down on his kickoff returns. "We have that versatility now," HC Lovie Smith said. "We added another good player into the [kickoff-return] mix in Devin Thomas."
Reported by Profootballtalk.com
Fantasy Football Diehards Line:
As PFT's Michael David Smith points out, Chicago has pushed Hester as more of a receiver and less of a returner before, in 2009, when he had a career-high 57 catches and career lows in both kickoff returns (seven) and punt returns (24). Smith went on to remind readers that Hester has always been a better punt returner than kickoff returner and will almost certainly remain the primary punt returner this year after leading the league with a 16.2-yard average last year. But it appears his days as a front-line kickoff return man are coming to an end.
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