According to a tweet from the Sacramento Bee's Matt Barrows, San Francisco 49ers running back Kendall Hunter is now expected to be placed on injured reserve after suffering an Achilles tendon tear, instead of what was originally thought to be an ankle injury.

Hunter suffered the injury during the Niners' win over of the New Orleans Saints on Sunday and will miss the remainder of the season. Hunter will be missed as he has served as the primary backup behind Frank Gore this season. Hunter, a fourth-round pick last year, has carried the ball 72 times for 371 yards and two touchdowns. He joins wide receiver Kyle Williams as a major contributor to the Niners' offense that is now out for the season. Williams tore his ACL.

With Hunter out, the Niners only have LaMichael James and Brandon Jacobs to back up Gore. Jacobs has one carry for one yard this season and James hasn't dressed for a game yet. Jacobs will be used much more now that Hunter is out.

The Niners are first in the league in rushing with 163.4 yards per game.