A half hour into his first practice of training camp yesterday, Devin Hester got behind cornerback Charles Tillman and hauled in a 40-yard pass from quarterback Rex Grossman.

It's the type of thing the Chicago Bears are hoping to see a lot during the regular season after signing Hester to a four-year contract extension, reportedly worth up to $40 million.

"I think the Bears have a lot of faith in me, and they feel that I do a lot of things on the offensive side of the ball, so they rewarded me," said Hester, who in two seasons is two touchdown returns short of Brian Mitchell's record of 13 kick or punt returns touchdowns — a mark that took 14 years to set.

At issue for the Bears was whether to pay Hester like a return man or like a top wide receiver when they made him the 22nd player on the current roster to receive a contract extension. They converted Hester to wide receiver last year when he made 20 catches, and this year expect him to start in place of lost free agent wide receiver Bernard Berrian.

"This one was probably the most difficult one we've had to do and probably ever will do because we're not only rewarding a special player," Bears general manager Jerry Angelo said.

Hester held out for two days before reporting Friday and watching from the sidelines for two days with what the Bears called a hamstring injury. After signing yesterday, he showed no signs of a hamstring pull.

"It's feeling great," Hester said of the hamstring. "It's a little tight, but I was able to push through it and just try to work it out and stretch it a lot. Right now I feel great."

The deal adds four years to the two years already remaining on Hester's contract. The Chicago Sun-Times reported Hester received in excess of $15 million in guaranteed bonuses, with $10 million possible in 2013, the final year of the deal.

COWBOYS

T.O. GETS BEST OF JONES

With Terrell Owens lined up opposite him, Adam Jones was waving his arms in the air to spur on the already energized crowd before the ball was snapped.

Then Owens blew past the smiling cornerback.

During that one-on-one drill yesterday, the highlight on the third day of Dallas' training camp, Owens made a double move to break past the player who wants to be formerly known as "Pacman." Tony Romo's long pass hit Owens in stride for what would have been a touchdown.

"I love to compete. Today, he had his day," Jones said. "Yesterday, I had my day."

BENGALS

SILENT JOHNSON REPORTS

Receiver Chad Johnson had nothing to say when he reported for training camp yesterday, ending Cincinnati's offseason drama with a pillow under his arm and a leave-me-alone look on his face.

Now, the Bengals can try to move on.

By showing up on time and without complaint, the Pro Bowl receiver brought his teammates some relief from his failed attempts to get traded. They were glad that Johnson was no longer a hot issue.

"I think it's water under the bridge," said receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh.

REDSKINS

DE MAPU WAIVED

Washington signed defensive tackle Zarnell Fitch and guard Fred Matua, and waived defensive end J.T. Mapu and guard Kerry Brown yesterday.

Mapu, a Kahuku High and University of Tennessee alum, was signed by the Redskins on Tuesday after the team lost defensive ends Phillip Daniels and Alex Buzbee to season-ending injuries. Mapu suffered a sprained left MCL and missed a scrimmage Saturday. He had previously been released by the team on June 24.

ELSEWHERE

Saints: Defensive tackle DeMario Pressley was placed on injured reserve by New Orleans yesterday, forcing the fifth-round draft pick to miss his rookie season. Head coach Sean Payton said Pressley, who practiced as recently as Saturday, was increasingly bothered by an old right foot fracture that had never healed properly. Pressley will have surgery to repair it, the coach said.

Steelers: Pro Bowl nose tackle Casey Hampton was placed on the physically unable to perform list yesterday after reporting to training camp overweight and failing to complete the Pittsburgh Steelers' annual run test. Hampton, listed at 325 pounds but apparently much heavier, lagged 30 yards behind defensive end Brett Keisel during one of eight 100-yard sprints. Hampton completed only five.

Packers: Green Bay came to an agreement yesterday with quarterback Brian Brohm, a second-round pick out of Louisville, and two other second-round choices: receiver Jordy Nelson of Kansas State and cornerback Pat Lee from Auburn. Terms of the deals weren't released.