Chicago Bear's star Devin Hester broke his own NFL record Sunday when he returned a punt 64 yards for a touchdown against the New Orleans Saints, his sixth kick return TD of the season. Hester returned five kicks for scores last season as a rookie. This year he has two kickoff returns and four punt returns for TD's. Hester's 11 combined career kick return touchdowns are two shy of the record held by Brian Mitchell.

Two veteran Chicago Bears defenders, cornerback Charles Tillman and weakside linebacker Lance Briggs, have been fined a total of $12,500 for what the league deemed illegal hits in the Bears' 20-13 loss to Minnesota on Monday night. In the NFL's continuing crackdown on so-called "horse-collar" tackles, Tillman is the latest player to be sanctioned, and he was fined $7,500 for using the banned technique to drag down Vikings wide receiver Robert Ferguson. The violation occurred about 2? minutes into the third quarter, when Ferguson caught a 71-yard pass on a third-and-9 play that originated at the Minnesota 28-yard line. Tillman pursued Ferguson and dragged him down from behind at the Chicago 1-yard-line. Tailback Adrian Peterson scored for the Vikings on the ensuing play. Game officials did not penalize Tillman at the time for the tackle. But in reviewing videotape from the game, league officials determined that the maneuver was a horse-collar tackle and subject to fine.

Brian Urlacher and the Bears had Adrian Peterson all bottled up, at least until it really counted. Peterson's 8-yard touchdown run, started by a shoulder-shake to fake Urlacher at the line of scrimmage, sent the Vikings to their fifth straight victory, 20-13 over the Bears on Monday night.

At his current pace, the Bears' Bernard Berrian will finish the season with 79 catches for 1,087 yards - big enough numbers to make him a multimillionaire when free agency begins in March. He doesn't turn 27 until two days after Christmas and has the kind of wicked speed that forces cornerbacks to provide a big cushion in coverage out of respect. Tonight, Berrian will be working with his third quarterback of the season, as Kyle Orton gets his chance to spark an offense that hasn't had much to brag about besides Berrian's team-best 64 catches, 883 yards and 4 touchdowns. The four-year veteran likes what he's seen from the Bears' third-string quarterback the past two years. "He's been good," Berrian said. "He's definitely been comfortable, and the best thing is he's been coming around to our (receiver) meetings and going over the little intricate parts of the offense that need discussion." Despite the revolving door at quarterback and the team's fall from grace, Berrian said he'd like to return to the Bears. "I'd like to stay here in Chicago," said the California native and Fresno State product. "I like the city; I like what we've got going here; I like the coaches; I like my teammates."

Rex Grossman's season is over after spraining a ligament his left knee. Now the quarterback of the Chicago Bears has an uncertain future with his contract expiring. Grossman, who overcame major injuries early in his career, said there is no structural damage this time to his knee. He was hurt last Thursday in the Bears' loss at Washington. Now, after an erratic season that saw him losing his starting job to Brian Griese after the first three games and then getting it back, he doesn't know what will happen once the season ends. "I'd like to be back here if I'm wanted back here," said Grossman, who endured heavy criticism last season despite helping the Bears make the Super Bowl. "We'll see what goes on." The Bears are 5-8 and out of the playoff picture. Grossman, a first-round pick in 2003, said he wants to be somewhere where he can compete for the starting job.

Another quarterback switch for the floundering Bears. Kyle Orton, who started 15 games as a rookie in 2005, returned to the role ahead of veteran Brian Griese on Monday. Orton, who hasn't played since the season finale two years ago, will start next Monday night's game against the Vikings in the Metrodome. His last start came on the same field on Jan. 1, 2006, when Minnesota beat Chicago 34-10. The Bears had already clinched a division title.

Rex Grossman hobbled into an uncertain future, and the rest of his team wasn't far behind. One year after reaching the Super Bowl, the Chicago Bears appear to be in a state of flux after a 24-16 loss at Washington on Thursday night all but dashed any shot left at a playoff spot. The question of where the Bears (5-8) head from this point starts with the quarterback position. There was great fear about Grossman's injury suffered just four minutes into the game Thursday, when his left leg twisted awkwardly under the force of defensive lineman Cornelius Griffin. The team did not issue any update on his condition Friday, but multiple Chicago-area media outlets reported that an MRI exam revealed no tear only a sprain of the medial collateral ligament. That is good news for Grossman because a torn ligament might have required surgery and an extended rehabilitation process. He likely will miss the rest of the season as it is because sprains of the MCL usually require a month of recovery. As for the outlook farther down the line, Grossman has an expiring contract and would probably be a relatively cheap option for teams seeking a quarterback. It's hard to predict what they would get from him, though.

Only days removed from burying a teammate, and without the benefit of a full practice, the Washington Redskins managed to win thanks to a backup quarterback who last completed a pass in 2004. Todd Collins came on for the injured Jason Campbell and threw for two touchdowns Thursday night, leading Washington to a 24-16 victory over the fading Chicago Bears that ended the Redskins' four-game losing streak.

Redskins' quarterback Jason Campbell suffered a left knee injury during the second quarter of Thursday's game against the Bears. As he completed a short pass to running back Ladell Betts, Campbell was tackled by Chicago defensive end Mark Anderson. The quarterback was taken off the field by a cart and will likely not return.

Chicago quarterback Rex Grossman left in the first quarter of Thursday night's game against the Washington Redskins with a knee injury, and the Bears said he would not return. Grossman's left leg twisted awkwardly when he was driven into the ground by defensive lineman Cornelius Griffin. The injury happened on Chicago's second possession, slightly more than 4 minutes into the game. Grossman was 2-for-6 for 14 yards to that point. He was replaced by Brian Griese.