Kendall Hunter Released by 49ers: Latest Details, Comments, Reaction

Kendall Hunter's NFL comeback may have to be with a different team, as the veteran running back has parted ways with the San Francisco 49ers. 

According to NFL.com's Ian Rapoport, Hunter and the 49ers came to terms on an injury settlement that makes him a free agent eligible to sign with another team. ESPN's Adam Caplan confirmed the news. 

From 2011-13, Hunter was one of the NFL's best backup running backs. He racked up 1,202 rushing yards and seven touchdowns on 262 carries behind Frank Gore. 

The 27-year-old missed the entire 2014 season after tearing his ACL during training camp. He did sign a one-year contract extension with San Francisco last November but was placed on injured reserve as the team cut its roster to 53 players.          

The 49ers may have felt the need to keep Hunter around for depth when they signed him to an extension last season, but Carlos Hyde's impressive Week 1 showing and Jarryd Hayne's emergence in preseason likely made it easier to part with the former fourth-round pick. 

However, Matt Maiocco of Comcast SportsNet Bay Area did speculate that Hunter's time in San Francisco may not be over yet:   

It will be interesting to see what Hunter's market ends up being. He's still young enough to be an effective player and had a strong track record of success for three seasons, but the knee injury will likely give teams pause before throwing him onto the field. 

Given how often teams always search for depth at running back as the season rolls on, it won't be surprising to see Hunter catch on somewhere soon.