Hester among 15 HOF finalists
Devin Hester, whose ridiculous returns remain unique in the history of the sport, was named Thursday as one of 15 finalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
As many as five of the finalists will be voted by a panel Jan. 18 and unveiled Feb. 10 at the league’s NFL Honors awards ceremony. Each inductee must receive 80% of the vote.
Hester, who played for the Bears from 2006-13, retired in 2016 after having returned an NFL-record 20 balls — 14 punts, five kickoffs and one field-goal try — for touchdowns. A receiver by trade, he made four Pro Bowls and three All-Pro teams. He was also one of two returners named to the NFL’s all-century team in 2019.
“When you see a great returner and you’re sitting and . . . you guys are all contemplating who should be returning the ball, who’s your first comparison to? What name do you go to?” special-teams coordinator Chris Tabor said earlier this month. The answer: Hester. “Therefore that answers the questions,” he said. “I’m going to leave it at that. That’s simple. Argument’s over.”
Hester is one of three players — along with former Texans receiver Andre Johnson and former Cowboys and Broncos edge rusher DeMarcus Ware — to make the Round of 15 in his first year of eligibility.
Edge rusher Jared Allen, who spent 2014 and part of 2015 with the Bears, is another modern-era finalist. He’s best known for his four seasons with the Chiefs and six with the Vikings.
Other candidates include; tackles Tony Boselli and Willie Anderson; cornerback/ safety Ronde Barber; safety LeRoy Butler; receivers Torry Holt and Reggie Wayne; linebackers Patrick Willis, Zach Thomas and Sam Mills; and defensive linemen Richard Seymour and Bryant Young.
Patrick Finley
Big Ben might be playing last home game
Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger said Monday night’s game against the Browns could be his last at Heinz Field.
“I don’t ever speak in definites or guarantees,” Roethlisberger said Thursday. “That’s just not what I’ve ever done, or who I am. But looking at the bigger picture, I would say that all signs are pointing that this could be it.”
Roethlisberger, 39, says that he won’t make any final decisions until after the season with his team still in the playoff hunt.
Packers get two receivers back
Packers receivers Randall Cobb, Marquez Valdes-Scantling returned to practice.
Cobb, who had core muscle surgery a little more than a month ago, appeared to be close to full speed during practice Thursday, and Valdes-Scantling was activated off the COVID-19 list after missing Saturday’s game against the Browns.
Jackson misses practice, Huntley back
Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson missed practice a day after he limped badly in his return to the field. If Jackson is out again, Tyler Huntley could make his third start in the last seven weeks. Huntley, who missed last Sunday’s game in Cincinnati, returned to practice after being activated off the COVID list.
Other COVID news
Colts linebacker Darius Leonard, receiver Zach Pascal and safety Khari Willis were activated from the COVID list.
† The Broncos put four players on the COVID list, including two starters in nickel back Bryce Callahan and right tackle Bobby Massie, and canceled practice Thursday.