Bears lessen the load for Hester

Nov 21, 2008 - 3:45 PM CHICAGO (Ticker) - Devin Hester's days as the Chicago Bears kick returner may be nearing an end.

The Chicago Tribune reported Friday that Danieal Manning is likely to be the Bears' top return man when the club visits the St. Louis Rams on Sunday.

Hester has been one of the league's most dynamic return men in recent years, but the two-time Pro Bowler has yet to run back a kick or punt for a score this season.

"Devin has set the bar so high that people expect every time he touches the ball, he needs to score ? every time," Manning told the Tribune. "Sometimes I expect him to score, and I'm his teammate.

"If he's tired or down or anything like that, I'm the next guy in line. And I'm just trying to do my job. I try not to let my team miss a beat."

Manning replaced Hester in the fourth quarter of Sunday's embarrassing 37-3 loss to Green Bay and provided a spark, netting 82 yards on three kickoff returns.

He has remained in that role this week at practice, though Hester still is expected to get the bulk of the work on punt returns.

"They're not asking me to return and score every time I touch the ball," said Manning, whose best return against the Packers went for 30 yards. "It's all about field position, ball security. And that's what I do."

Hester, who has five career kickoff returns for touchdowns - including a memorable run back in Super Bowl XLI - has taken on additional responsibilities this season as the Bears attempt to develop him into a top receiving threat.

Rewarded with a four-year, $40 million contract extension during the offseason, Hester has 26 receptions for 318 yards and two touchdowns.

"When you have a guy like (Manning) sitting on the bench, you have to use him," special teams coordinator Dave Toub said. "It gives Devin a chance to maybe recover. He's playing a lot of offense. He's doing the punt returns. It's a luxury to have someone else to go to."