LAKE FOREST, Ill. – Pro Bowlers Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin won’t be the only big-play receivers on the field Sunday when the Bears host the Arizona Cardinals at Soldier Field.

With 35 catches for 454 yards and 3 touchdowns this season, Bears star Devin Hester is on par statistically with Boldin (35-404-1), and Hester’s 21 receptions in the last three games are second most in the NFL to Fitzgerald (25).

Bears wide receiver Devin Hester has caught 21 passes in his last three games.

“Devin has improved tremendously in every aspect of the game,” said receivers coach Darryl Drake. “His understanding, his running, his blocking, his route-running, his feel for the game … there’s really not one particular area that I can pinpoint. There are just so many areas that he has improved in.”

After catching six passes for 83 yards Oct. 18 in a loss at Atlanta, Hester established career highs with eight receptions for 101 yards and 1 TD Oct. 25 in a defeat at Cincinnati. He then hauled in seven passes for 81 yards in last Sunday’s win over the Browns.

“Devin’s playing real well,” said offensive coordinator Ron Turner. “I’m real pleased with Devin. He’s been an all-around receiver. He’s catching the ball on third down. He’s catching the ball in traffic. He’s catching the ball inside and outside, and we’ve got to try to continue to try to get him the ball.”

In Hester, Drake sees a much more polished player.

“The biggest thing with a receiver is feeling comfortable, being confident when you release from the line of scrimmage and knowing where you’re going,” Drake said. “Defenses change on the snap. Guys are disguising. They want those receivers to make a wrong adjustment. But because he’s starting to learn how to read safeties and understand that those guys are the telltale of what’s happening coverage-wise, he’s improved in that area tremendously.

“When you see things, you play fast, and that’s what he’s doing right now. Hopefully he’ll continue to do that and continue to grow and continue to excel. He’s just scratching the surface as far as a receiver is concerned. It doesn’t happen overnight. A lot of people think it does, but it doesn’t. He’s just continued to improve and continued to grow and I look forward to him continuing to do that.”

Smith also thinks that Hester can get even better.

“I definitely see bigger things,” Smith said. “He’s learning. He hasn’t been at the position long enough to have perfected it yet. But he gets a little bit closer each week.

“One thing we’ve always known is that Devin is special with his hands on the ball, and that’s what’s happening. Of course, he is getting more and more comfortable with it. He is a ‘1’ receiver and I think as you talk to opposing defenses, they definitely look at him that way.”

Helping hand: Bears fans can help a member of the Bears family by shopping at Chicago area Jewel Food Stores this coming week. Cari Cook, the 30-year-old wife of Bears employee Matt Cook, was struck and killed by an automobile while taking their two young children for a walk May 19 in Countryside. 

By printing out a coupon at the Web site www.cookfamilyfund.com/images/shopandshare-november.pdf and presenting it at a Jewel Food Store Monday through Wednesday, a portion of your purchase will be donated to a fund started for their two-and-a-half-year-old daughter and 11-month-old son.

Another good cause: In anticipation of its upcoming fundraising event, Bear Appetit, to be held on Monday, November 16 at Wildfire in Chicago, Bears Care announced a $100,000 commitment to the Greater Chicago Food Depository in support of their Holiday Food program and other initiatives. 

Bear Appetit will offer fans the opportunity to mingle with alumni greats such as Richard Dent and Dan Hampton, and current players including Jay Cutler and Israel Idonije. Guests will enjoy samplings of fine food, wines and spirits and help in the fight against hunger this holiday season. 

“We are so grateful for the support of the Chicago Bears and Bears Care in a year that has seen 23 percent more pantry visits than the year before,” said Kate Maehr, executive director of the Greater Chicago Food Depository. “Because of the Bears assistance, we will be able to provide thousands of meals for men, women and children in our community.”

To purchase tickets for Bear Appetit, log onto www.events.org/bearapp.