The Seahawks are signing return man Devin Hester in advance of their weekend wild-card matchup with the Lions, according to FOX Sports’ Jay Glazer (Twitter link). Hester will presumably take over punt return duties for the Seahawks, who lost Tyler Lockett to a broken leg Dec. 24. Star cornerback Richard Sherman filled that role during the Seahawks’ regular-season finale last Sunday, but he’s far too important to the club’s defense to continue as a returner.
Hester, a four-time Pro Bowler who has spent time with the Bears, Falcons and Ravens, is among the greatest return men in the history of the NFL. The 34-year-old’s heyday is in the rear-view mirror, though, and his stint with the Ravens ended last month after his failure to field a punt against the Patriots resulted in a safety. New England subsequently tried out Hester, but it opted against signing him.
In 12 regular-season games in 2016, Hester averaged 7.2 yards per punt return – up from a career-low 4.3 last year – and recorded a 24.5-yard mean on kickoff returns. The Seahawks have in-house kick return options in Paul Richardson and J.D. McKissic, but Hester is likely an upgrade over those two and could grab the reins from them.
Wow.
Got to be better than Sherm.
At least he didn’t muff a punt. It was goddam terrifying watching him wait under those that came his way though.
He just fair caught them all right? Smart move probably directly from Carroll. Hester’s a nice little desperation move from the ‘hawks.
He returned one for 7 yards.
Why can’t Sherman? Patrick Peterson returns punts and some Kick offs? Sherman not up to it? LOL some players have a heart for it and others don’t!
and Peterson is imo foolish for risking himself, as important as he is the Arizona’s defense.