Will Tukuafu helps 49ers make do at fullback

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In the 49ers' preseason finale in 2012, Will Tukuafu cleared a cavernous running lane by detonating San Diego linebacker Jonas Mouton with a high-decibel block.

At the time, defensive tackle Justin Smith said he could hear the impact from "80 yards away" and head coach Jim Harbaugh was in agreement.

"I saw it," Harbaugh said. "But it was more impressive what I heard."

On Monday, Tukuafu, 6-foot-4 and 293 pounds, was back to making some noise for the 49ers, just five days after he was re-signed by the team. A former defensive lineman, Tukuafu played 12 snaps at fullback in a 34-24 win over the Falcons and offered compelling evidence he can help fill the void left by Bruce Miller's season-ending shoulder injury.

Harbaugh had suggested Anthony Dixon would play the majority of snaps at fullback after Miller was placed on injured reserve, but Tukuafu finished with one more snap than Dixon despite his late arrival.

"I thought he did well," Harbaugh said. "I thought he came in, he had fresh legs, fresh mind. Was really good with his assignments. I thought he played well."

The Tukuafu-Dixon time-share appeared to be a winning combination. Both earned positive run-blocking grades, according to Pro Football Focus, and the 49ers rushed for 199 yards, their third-highest total of the season, and averaged 6.6 yards a carry.

Given their inexperience at the position, there is reason to expect Tukuafu and Dixon to improve. Dixon is a running back who had played sparingly at fullback after he assumed the added role of Miller's understudy this season.

Tukuafu, a defensive tackle since he arrived in the NFL in 2010, began dabbling at fullback last year, playing 92 offensive snaps. When he was waived by the 49ers in September he was listed as a defensive tackle/fullback. He's now a full-time offensive player and part of a two-man platoon.

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"They both did very well and we can build," Harbaugh said. "Now we can build, add to what each does going forward."

There's no question that run-blocking is what Tukuafu does best. With his size and agility, he's likely an unwelcome sight for opposing linebackers. Consider that Tukuafu is an inch taller and 18 pounds heavier than former 49ers guard Guy McIntyre, who, in the mid-'80s, became one of the first linemen in the modern NFL to be employed as a fullback.

On Monday, Tukuafu was at his best on his eight snaps as a run blocker. He pass-blocked on four plays and surrendered two quarterback hurries, according to Pro Football Focus. On Dixon's 11 snaps, the 49ers called nine runs and two passes. Dixon ran a route out of the backfield on both pass plays.

When Miller, who played 60 percent of the offensive snaps in their first 14 games, went down, the 49ers could use few formations with a fullback. On Monday, they used a fullback on 40 percent of their snaps.

The late-season adjustments inspired by Miller's injury didn't appear to adversely affect running back Frank Gore, who had 97 yards on 21 carries against the Falcons. For his part, Gore said he welcomed the chance to run behind a nearly 300-pound fullback.

"I'm happy (Tukuafu's) back on the team," Gore said. "I'm happy he got an opportunity to show that he belongs with us, and he did a great job when he got his opportunity."