Updated

All week long, Kendall Hunter peppered fellow San Francisco running back Anthony Dixon about how he looked in practice — how fast did he look?

No more questions necessary after the burst Hunter showed Sunday night, a darting 15-yard gain during the 49ers' third series of the first quarter that resulted in a 5-yard touchdown throw from Colin Kaepernick to Quinton Patton against Minnesota.

Hunter is looking plenty swift after working tirelessly to return following surgery on a torn left Achilles tendon that ended his season in late November last year.

Only cleared for full practice activity on Aug. 10, Hunter had three carries for 13 yards against the Vikings — yet just being on the field at Candlestick Park meant more than his results for Frank Gore's likely backup.

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AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org