EAST RUTHERFORD ‐ Giants starting running back Rashad Jennings' injured knee is feeling better. He's looking better on the practice field as he nears a return Sunday against the San Francisco 49ers.

"He did a good job again. Practiced. Took a lot of turns," coach Tom Coughlin said. "Did pretty well."

All signs point to Jennings playing against the 49ers. He's missed four straight games, all losses, with a sprained MCL suffered against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 5.

But his role isn't likely to be what it was before the injury. Jennings was taking approximately 75 percent of the snaps, with rookie Andre Williams being used as an occasional fill-in prior to his absence.

It could be closer to 60-40 on Sunday.

"I don't intend that [Jennings] will take a full, full load," coach Tom Coughlin said, before noting he would "share" some of the snaps and carries with Williams. "After having worked the way he has for a couple of weeks, if he can get to the game and be in the same shape he is now, he'll be able to work."

There is a lot of work that needs to be done. There has been a significant difference between the two running backs. Jennings has averaged 4.3 yards per carry in five starts. Williams is at 2.75 yards per carry playing behind the exact same offensive line.

Both will have their work cut out for them against the 49ers, who enter the game seventh in the NFL against the run. San Francisco allows just 91.2 yards per game on the ground, and should be getting All-Pro linebacker Aldon Smith (in some capacity) back following a suspension.

Jordan Raanan may be reached at jraanan@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JordanRaanan. Find NJ.com Giants on Facebook.