CHICAGO – When Devin Hester crumbled to the ground after injuring his shoulder Saturday night against the 49ers, Soldier Field turned as quiet as a school library during final exams week.

That the dynamic playmaker sustained only a bruise was a huge relief for the Bears fans, players and coaches who held their collective breath when the All-Pro return specialist went down.

Devin Hester returned a punt 29 yards before exiting Saturday night's preseason win over the 49ers with a shoulder injury.

Hester was injured when he delivered a low block on a running play and his shoulder slammed into safety Michael Lewis’ knee.

“He’ll learn proper technique and keep his head up,” said offensive coordinator Ron Turner. “He’s just new at the position.”

With Muhsin Muhammad held out of Saturday night’s game, Hester started at wide receiver opposite Bernard Berrian.

The injury scare won’t alter how the Bears will utilize Hester on offense this season.

“We’re trying to score every time we get a chance,” Smith said. “Devin gives us a good chance to score when he’s out there. Injuries happen, but no, that won’t change anything at all.

“Our plan is to have him return [punts and kickoffs] for us and play some offense. Danieal Manning is making it a lot easier for us knowing what life could be like without Devin. I’m really pleased with what he’s been able to do with returns.”

Manning made two nice spin moves on a 38-yard kickoff return Saturday night against the 49ers after bringing back a kickoff 72 yards in Monday night’s win in Indianapolis.

Just a bruise: Hester wasn’t the only Bears player to sustain an injury that could have been much worse. Pro Bowl special teams standout Brendon Ayanbadejo exited in the second half after suffering a bruised knee while covering a punt.

“Our gunner was getting double-teamed,” Ayanbadejo said. “One of their guys who was blocking the gunner fell on the ground when I was escaping my block. I jumped over him and I just caught my knee on his helmet.”

Ayanbadejo was not limping after the game and said that the injury was not serious.

“I would have kept playing if it was the regular season,” he said. “I might have missed a couple plays, though, and then once the normal sensation in my knee came back, then I’d be fine.”

Being cautious: Rebounding from surgery to repair a torn hamstring tendon, defensive tackle Tommie Harris missed his third straight preseason game. But Smith left little doubt that he believes the two-time Pro Bowler will start the Sept. 9 season opener against the Chargers.

“I expect him to be in the lineup in San Diego with the first group and play at the level that we’ve grown accustomed to Tommie playing,” said the Bears coach.

In addition to Harris and Muhammad, other Bears who did not suit up Saturday night included guard Ruben Brown, defensive lineman Israel Idonije, tackle John St. Clair and wide receiver Brandon Rideau. Darwin Walker started in place of Harris for the third straight game.

On the run: Punter Brad Maynard showed his speed and athleticism in picking up a first down to sustain a drive with an 18-yard run after dropping a perfect snap.

“It was like the game slowed down,” Maynard said. “It was weird. My first instinct was to get it off. But I felt a guy rushing, so then I just looked up and I was just lucky really that somebody didn’t smash me.”

Since joining the Bears in 2001, Maynard has tossed two TD passes and converted a first down with a 20-yard run. But all of those came on designed fakes.