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It’s a familiar sound around the 49ers practice fields that hasn’t been heard recently.

Not to worry, the notable noise was back on Tuesday with Frank Gore’s return to 49ers training camp. The two-time Pro Bowl running back was his old self out at practice, displaying his trademarked boisterous and passionate behavior when communicating with teammates.

It’s safe to say, Gore’s outspoken nature certainly caught the attention of his vocal head coach.

“He looked good,” Jim Harbaugh said at the conclusion of a three-hour padded-practice. “There is quite a difference in communication when he’s in the huddle.”

Gore had not reported to 49ers training camp until Monday, but wasted no time making his mark the following day.

And while Harbaugh surely knows what type of player Gore is based on reputation, now the 49ers Coach is well aware of how great of a communicator the seven-year running back can be.

Harbaugh went on to further illustrate Gore’s influence on the starting offense.

“Frank goes a great job of communicating at the line, in the huddle, giving reminders as we’re breaking the huddle,” he said.

“It raised the competition,” Harbaugh added. “It gives our young backs an example of what a top-notch pro looks like.”

That top-notch pro was excited to be back on the 49ers practice fields after electing to stay away from team headquarters for the first three training camp sessions. Gore is in the final year of his contract and is optimistic about playing for the 49ers for the duration of his NFL career.

“I’m a football player, I miss being out here with my team,” he said moments after Harbaugh spoke with the media.

The 49ers running back, who ranks third all-time in franchise history with 6,414 rushing yards, needs 930 more yards on the ground to surpass the late Hall of Famer Joe “The Jet” Perry for the franchise’s all-time rushing mark.

The record is important to Gore, but not more than winning. For the 5-foot-9, 217-pound runner, that’s all the game has ever been about.

“I’ll let my agent Drew (Rosenhaus) take care of that,” Gore said when asked about his wish to get a contract extension. “I’m here to get better and try to get this organization to the right move, and that’s to the playoffs.”

Gore suffered a season-ending hip injury Week 11 of the 2010 season in Arizona. Despite the fractured hip suffered in the first quarter, Gore said he’s 100-percent healthy from the injury.

He looked that way too on Tuesday, flashing his well-known cut-back ability during both team periods.

“I felt like a kid out there,” Gore said with a big smile on his face. “It’s a blessing to come back from the injury. A lot of people doubted that I wouldn’t be back and I feel good. I feel like a 22-year-old running back out there.”

Teammates agreed. Starting fullback and close friend, Moran Norris, said Gore’s return signaled a huge boost of energy to the 49ers locker room.

“He brings good morale to the offense,” said Norris, who considers Gore to be like a brother. “He brings morale not just to the whole offense, but to the whole team. Everybody thrives off of him.”

The 49ers made sure to utilize Gore’s presence at practice. Harbaugh said the team ran 20-straight running plays during a team period. The head coach also spent the entire individual period with the running backs.

Harbaugh spoke optimistically about keeping Gore around long term.

“I think there’ll be a resolution at some point,” he said. “Some time sooner rather than later, it’ll be diligent negotiations on both sides. Frank’s a 49er and we want Frank here. We want Frank happy too, and at some point that’ll get resolved when it gets resolved.”

Gore ended his media session with a message to the 49ers Faithful: "I want to tell my fans, I’m sorry about the little holdup but I’m back and I’m ready to go to work."

Notes and Quotes

Harbaugh has proven to be a hands-on coach. So much so, at one point of practice, he noticed the offense was missing a tight end. Instead of making a commotion about it, Harbaugh took the place of the missing player. Thanks to Al Schnoor for snapping a photo for us.

Colin Kaepernick continued to take all the first-team reps at quarterback with veteran Alex Smith unable to practice until the league year begins on Thursday. Kaepernick flashed his big arm on several plays during Tuesday’s session. He also received praise from Harbaugh, who described Kaepernick’s big right arm as a, “hose.” Gore was pleased too and had this to say about the 49ers second-round pick: “He was making great throws.”

Kaepernick however, was intercepted twice on the day by safety Reggie Smith during 11-on-11 periods. Both takeaways happened when Kaepernick threw while escaping the pocket. The first takeaway was on a tipped pass. The other, came on a pass intended for tight end Vernon Davis. Smith earned play of the day honors for his second interception by reading Kaepernick’s eyes downfield. The focus and ability to break on the football allowed Smith to come up with a leaping interception for his third takeaway of training camp.

Photo of the Day

Gore’s first practice of training camp garnered much of the attention on Tuesday. But second-year wide receiver Kyle Williams also returned to practice for the first time of camp. Here’s a photo of Williams catching a pass during individual drills.