RealGM

Posted: **Fri Sep 19, 2008 3:06 am**

http://www.suntimes.com/sports/football ... 08.article

If Devin Hester makes the same kind of improvement between now and Sunday that he has since suffering torn cartilage in his ribs at Carolina, maybe he will be able to play against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

The issue the Bears will have to weigh is the value of having Hester on the field against the Bucs vs. the potential that he could be more seriously injured by playing.

``If I go out there and it’s not healed all the way then I could damage it even more,’’ he said. ``I am trying to get as much treatment as I can and hopefully I will be ready.’’

There is not a lot that can be done for a rib injury. He’s taking pills and getting ice and stimulation but rest is the key.

Posted: **Fri Sep 19, 2008 4:11 am**

It'd be nice to have him, but he hasn't done much of anything the first two weeks.

Posted: **Fri Sep 19, 2008 4:54 am**

What's odd is he changed his story after practice and just called them bruised.

WEFFPIM - I think it's imperative he's out on the field for the good of the team. While the first two weeks haven't yielded much, you can't expect a punt/kick return for a TD every week. He's always a threat. And he's not going to learn how to play WR by sitting out. Don't forget he's got incentives galore in his contract to produce some numbers as a wide receiver. I've got to believe he wants to get on the field ASAP if he's not in danger of making the injury worse.

Posted: **Fri Sep 19, 2008 6:30 am**

I'd love to have him on the field against Tampa Bay, but I'd rather he sits this game out and makes sure he's perfectly ready to go in week four. He's our most dangerous scoring threat, whether on special teams or offense, so we need him healthy and not risking any further damage.

Posted: **Fri Sep 19, 2008 7:27 pm**

Cliff Levingston could do without him for a week if it means he can come back close to 100% the next week. No sense in possibly further injuring the sole reason for your great field position.

Posted: **Sat Sep 20, 2008 12:46 pm**

It's not like the Bears don't have other KR options.

Supposedly the injury impacts his ability to turn his upper body and his breathing. Knowing how much he fumbles I would not want either of those to come into play.

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Hester Torn rib cartilage

Hester Torn rib cartilage

Re: Hester Torn rib cartilage

Re: Hester Torn rib cartilage

Re: Hester Torn rib cartilage

Re: Hester Torn rib cartilage

Re: Hester Torn rib cartilage