Former 49ers running back Kendall Hunter signed Wednesday with the New Orleans Saints, the club announced.
The 49ers waived Hunter, 27, with an injury settlement in September. Because the settlement came more than five days after he was placed on injured reserve, the 49ers were ineligible to sign him this season.
Hunter takes the roster spot of rookie running back Marcus Murphy, who was placed on injured reserve after suffering a high ankle sprain last Sunday.
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Hunter last played in 2013, when he carried 78 times for 358 yards for the 49ers. He missed all of 2014 after sustaining a torn ACL early in training camp.
Hunter rushed for 1,202 yards with a 4.6-yard average in his three seasons with the 49ers. He missed all of 2014 with a knee injury and was among the 49ers' final roster moves before the start of the regular season. The 49ers selected Hunter in the fourth round of the 2011 draft.
