CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Chicago Bears return specialist Devin Hester was carted to the locker room with an apparent rib injury during the third quarter of today's game against Carolina.

Hester grabbed his the left side of his rib cage after a kickoff return and walked to the sideline. He was then taken inside for treatment.

Hester set an NFL record last season by returning four punts and two kickoffs for touchdowns. Carolina held him to three kickoffs returns for a 21.7 average and two punt returns for 9 yards before the injury.