The Chicago Bears (5-3) may be without their All-Pro kick returner on Sunday's game against the Detroit Lions (6-2). Zach Zaidman is reporting WR Devin Hester missed practice today and is listed as questionable, still recovering from the ankle injury he sustained Monday night against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Zaidman also met with Bears head coach Lovie Smith to get his thoughts on possibly playing without Hester:
@ZachZaidman: Lovie Smith on potentially playing without Devin Hester: "There's only one Devin Hester. No one has anyone like him."
Hester holds the NFL record for kicks returned for touchdowns and has a combined 18 touchdown returns, including a missed field goal and the opening kickoff of Super Bowl XLI. In 2011, he has already added a punt and kickoff touchdown return to his stats.
However, the Bears have a number of capable kick returners, including WR Johnny Knox and WR Earl Bennett, a fact Coach Lovie was sure to iterate:
@ZachZaidman: Lovie Smith on return game if Hester can't go: "We have other guys on our roster that have scored touchdowns in an NFL game."
Apparently, the Bears will play it by ear with Hester on Sunday, but it does not look positive so far.
Fantasy owners looking to replace Hester for the week may not need to look any further than Earl Bennett, who returned from his injury in a big way last week against the Eagles, catching 5 passes for 95 yards and a touchdown.
For more on Sunday's game, check out Windy City Gridiron, SB Nation's Chicago Bears blog, and Pride of Detroit, SB Nation's Detroit Lions blog. Stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago for more updates. For news and notes from around the league, visit SB Nation's NFL hub.