Aug. 2
Early returns on Garrison Hearst's comeback for the San Francisco 49ers border on disbelief.

Hearst, who hasn't played since breaking his ankle in a January 1999 playoff loss in Atlanta, has exhibited almost the same explosiveness that made him a Pro Bowl pick that very same season.

Hearst is the starter on coach Steve Mariucci's depth chart at running back. The 49ers also are excited about Kevan Barlow, the third-round pick from Pitt, but Barlow has sat out some practices this week with swelling in the same knee he injured right after the draft.