TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Bears' Hester Signs 4-Year Contract

ADVERTISEMENT

The Associated Press

Published: July 28, 2008

BOURBONNAIS, Ill. - Kick returner Devin Hester signed a new four-year contract with the Chicago Bears.

The team announced the deal Sunday. Hester skipped the first two days of training camp because he wanted to renegotiate his contract, which had two years left. Hester returned to camp Friday, saying there was progress in the negotiations.

He said he skipped practices to make a statement that he was serious about a new deal.

Hester's previous contract was for $445,000 for 2008.

While the team didn't disclose financial terms, ESPN reported the extension is worth at least $30 million, with $15 million guaranteed.

BENGALS: Receiver Chad Johnson reported to training camp as promised.

Johnson didn't answer questions as he carried his belongings into an apartment at the team's training complex Sunday. A few days earlier, he told The Associated Press he will continue his boycott of Cincinnati-area media.

The Pro Bowl receiver tried to get the team to trade him in the offseason, but the Bengals refused. He dropped his threat to sit out the season and apologized to fans who were upset with his offseason comments.

EAGLES: All-Pro cornerback Asante Samuel is day-to-day with a mild hamstring strain.

Samuel was hurt Saturday while working in 7-on-7 drills during the team's first practice in full pads this summer. He had an MRI on the injured right hamstring Sunday.

LIONS: Linebacker Ernie Sims missed Sunday's afternoon practice with injuries to his right leg.

Sims said he "landed funny" during a morning drill but walked off the field after the practice session ended. Trainer Dean Kleinschmidt said the third-year veteran suffered a hyperextended knee and sprained ankle, but did not believe the injuries were serious.

PACKERS: Running back Ryan Grant - an exclusive-rights free agent who has refused to sign a tender offer from the team and is pursuing a long-term deal - did not report Sunday morning. Packers players were scheduled to attend meetings and take physicals Sunday. The first practice is this morning.

The Packers signed Brian Brohm, the team's second-round pick out of Louisville, and two other second-round choices: receiver Jordy Nelson of Kansas State and cornerback Pat Lee from Auburn.

RAVENS: Defensive tackle Haloti Ngata was carted off the field Sunday with an injured right leg after getting caught in a pileup during a full-contact drill.

Ngata was on the ground for several minutes before limping with assistance to the sideline, where he was then driven off the field.

"We don't think it's serious, but we've got to find out as we go," Ravens coach John Harbaugh said.

REDSKINS: Signed defensive tackle Zarnell Fitch and guard Fred Matua, and waived defensive end J.T. Mapu and guard Kerry Brown.

SAINTS: Defensive tackle DeMario Pressley was placed on injured reserve, forcing the fifth-round draft pick to miss his rookie season.

He fractured his right foot in practice Saturday.

Placing Pressley on injured reserve opened a roster spot, which the Saints filled by signing free agent defensive end Marquies Gunn, who spent parts of 2007 on the practice squads of the Giants and Bucs.

STEELERS: Pro Bowl nose tackle Casey Hampton was placed on the physically unable to perform list after reporting to training camp overweight and failing to complete the annual run test.

Also, rookie wide receiver Limas Sweed signed a four-year contract, putting all the Steelers' draft picks under contract as training camp started.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT