Bears’ Hester: ‘I’m ready’

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LAKE FOREST – For the first time this week, Bears receiver Devin Hester walked without a limp as he headed off the practice field Friday at Halas Hall.

Hester, who returned to practice after missing the previous two days’ work because of an ankle injury, said he expected to be ready to play Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals.

“I’m 100 percent,” said Hester, who leads the team with 454 receiving yards. “I’m ready.”

However, Hester stopped short of saying whether he would return punts against Arizona.

“I heard on the radio, you all said Earl [Bennett] was going to do it,” Hester said.

Either way, the Bears should be in good hands.

Hester is fifth in the NFL with a punt return average of 12.5 yards. Bennett has averaged 15.8 yards a punt return, but his four returns do not qualify for the NFL leaderboard.

The Bears officially listed Hester and teammate Danieal Manning (back) as questionable, but coach Lovie Smith said he expected both to play.

So far, so good: Veteran Bears cornerback Nathan Vasher has enjoyed his transition to safety, where he has worked out every day in practice for the past two weeks.

“I think the coaches are putting me in a position where they feel like I can be successful and help the team,” Vasher said Friday. “I think they’re making the situation really good for me, not putting too much on my plate, but still having me learn a little bit on the run.”

Vasher, 27, was selected to the Pro Bowl after intercepting eight passes in 2005. But injuries slowed his career, and Zackary Bowman replaced him as a starter this season.

Lately, Vasher has returned to the field as a free safety in nickel coverage schemes. He said he was working hard to improve as quickly as possible at the position.

“I think with a lot of guys, it takes four or five years sometimes for guys to get the position down,” Vasher said. “I’m trying to do it in two weeks. Let’s do it.”

Bears bits: Cardinals wide receiver Anquan Boldin was among five players whom the team listed as questionable for Sunday’s game. … Bears tight end Greg Olsen stayed after practice to catch passes from the “Jugs” machine. ... Smith (49-38) is seeking his 50th regular season win as Bears coach.

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