 The rule change directly resulted in a higher number of touchbacks and fewer returns.Hester commented on the situation stating, “They got a couple touchbacks but you’ve still got guys bringing it out and at the end of the day that rule is pointless.”

On October 2, 2011, Hester became the NFL's all-time leader in punt return touchdowns with 11 when he returned a punt 69 yards for a touchdown against the Carolina Panthers surpassing Eric Metcalf's record.On October 16, Hester returned a kickoff for a 98-yard touchdown against the Minnesota Vikings.