BOURBONNAIS, Ill. -- Devin Hester showed up at the Chicago Bears' training camp without a new contract. Whether the kick return star will practice without one remains to be seen.
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After missing the first two days, Hester reported Friday because he saw some progress in negotiations.
"It's looking good so I came back," he said.
As for practicing: "No comment on that," he said.
Meanwhile, coach Lovie Smith said he held Hester out of Friday's practice because of tightness in his hamstring even though he had no noticeable limp.
"I'm not going to rush anybody back," Smith said. "It's not like it's a big issue or anything, he'll be fine."
But Hester's contract situation is no minor issue.
The two-time Pro Bowler has two years left on his deal and wants to re-negotiate. Hester, who also played wide receiver last season, watched as several teammates got new contracts in the offseason.
A second-round draft pick in 2006, he had said he skipped practices to make a statement that he was serious about a new deal, and that $445,000 a year was not enough money. Hester's financial value is difficult to judge, since he's never started a game on offense and wide receivers earn more than return specialists -- even those that dazzle.
Hester thrilled fans with 11 punt and kickoff returns for touchdowns in his first two seasons. He also returned a missed field goal 108 yards in 2006 and ran back the opening kickoff in the 2007 Super Bowl 92 yards for a touchdown.
The Bears eased him in on offense last season, after he initially balked at moving from the defensive backfield, and Hester wound up catching 20 passes for 299 yards.
Now, he's expected to play a bigger role on offense.
"I don't want to fall too far behind," Hester said. "I want to be with my teammates. ... I'm here and basically, that's all I have to say."
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