It’s been a slow road back for Kendall Hunter. Certainly slower than he had hoped.
After missing last year because of a torn ACL, Hunter predicted in the offseason that he would be 100 percent and ready to roll in training camp.
Yet he’s been mostly absent from summer scrimmages and missed the first two preseason games.
Now, however, it appears Hunter is getting closer.
This week, during joint 49ers-Broncos practices in Denver before Saturday night’s exhibition game, Hunter has come on strong. On Wednesday, he took snaps with the 49ers’ first-team offense and looked sharp.
Niners head coach Jim Tomsula obviously was pleased.
“Wasn’t he moving around really well?” he said to reporters afterward. “You know, it was great to see.”
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Since joining the 49ers in 2011, Hunter has been a terrific element in the team’s rushing attack. He’s rushed for an average of 4.6 yards per carry and has given the offense a great change-of-pace back. He’s also averaged 9.9 yards per reception.
If Hunter is healthy, he’s a great complement to Carlos Hyde, Reggie Bush and rookie Mike Davis.
The 49ers have been cautious about throwing Hunter into the mix – Wednesday’s practice against the Broncos wasn’t full contact – but Tomsula likes what he sees.
“You see him move, the burst and all that stuff,” he said. “Felt really good for Kendall. You know, and he’s been doing those things, but we wanted to get to this point here and then get him some more reps and get moving a little bit here.”
However, there seems to be some doubt about the 49ers carrying so many running backs. As Kevin Lynch of the San Francisco Chronicle noted this week, it’s possible the 49ers may be forced to choose between Hunter and Davis – the first-year player from South Carolina who’s looked terrific in two exhibition games. He’s carried 11 times for 52 yards, a 4.7 average
