Report: Patriots Bring In Returner Devin Hester For Workout
BOSTON (CBS) -- The Patriots' problems in the return game have been well-documented, as rookie cornerback Cyrus Jones has fumbled five times in 18 returns and others have struggled whenever called upon to fill in.
The rookie's major struggles to protect the ball on returns has forced the Patriots to look elsewhere. According to the NFL Network's Courtney Fallon, the Patriots on Thursday brought in return specialist Devin Hester for a workout.
The Patriots literally just saw Hester in Monday night's game against the Baltimore Ravens, who cut the return man on Tuesday. Hester declined to catch a punt return in the first quarter that the Patriots downed on the 1-yard-line, which led directly to Malcom Brown's safety on the next play.
Hester played most of his career with the Chicago Bears, where for several years he was the most feared return man in the NFL. He has a staggering 19 career return touchdowns and his 14 career punt return touchdowns are the most in NFL history, but he has not scored a return touchdown since 2014 and has scored just twice since 2011.
Hester wouldn't exactly solve the Patriots' fumbling problems in the return game, either: he also has lost five fumbles on the season. Hester has always had some ball security issues, but now he doesn't have the explosiveness to make up for it.
