The cheer for McAllister began almost immediately.

AP Photo / Bill Haber

New Orleans Saints running back Deuce McAllister (26) receives congratulations from his teammates near the end of their NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers in the second half in New Orleans, Sunday, Sept. 28, 2008. The Saints defeated the 49ers 31-27. in the background is running back Reggie Bush.

He was announced with the starting offense prior to the game and when he ran out of the tunnel, the Superdome erupted.

But the sounds reverberating off the concrete structure were nothing compared to his first carry – a one-yard gain he turned into a five-yard gain by churning his feet and pushing the pile.

McAllister was back – and the crowd loved it.

With McAllister riding high, the Saints defeated the 49ers Sunday 31-17.

Yet, by the time McAllister talked after the game, the consummate perfectionist was already finding problems with the inspired run.

“I kind of rushed the steps,” McAllister said. “I guess I was just overly excited to get the carry. If I slow myself down a little bit, I don’t have to cut down so drastically like I did.”

Regardless, McAllister was back, nearly a year after tearing an ACL in a home Monday night game.

Through the first three games, McAllister only got two touches, both five-yard gains against Washington.

Fans were clamoring for answers as to why the standout running back wasn’t being used, especially when the team seemingly has troubles converting third-and-short.

Head coach Sean Payton listened. He also knew he couldn’t rush the veteran back too quickly.

Against San Francisco, the time had come.

“I said this before – last week our plan was going to be a lot more through the air,” Payton said. “We just felt that the nature of the game plan, that this week we’d have a little more chance to run the ball.”

McAllister picked up hints throughout the week that he would be formally introduced to the 2008 season this week.

“I was just happy to get out there,” McAllister said. “Going through the week, I had a pretty good indication I’d get a couple of carries.”

He got more than a couple. He finished with 20 carries for 73 yards and a touchdown and caught one pass for 10 yards.

AP Photo / Pat Semansky

New Orleans Saints running back Deuce McAllister (26) dives over San Francisco 49ers defenders Takeo Spikes (51) and Mark Roman in the second half of their NFL football game in New Orleans on Sunday, Sept. 28, 2008. New Orleans won 31-17.

It was that touchdown that signaled he was back for good.

McAllister took a handoff and leapt over a pile at the 1 and into the end zone.

“Not playing over a year, I was pretty excited on being able to get into the end zone,” McAllister said.

And then he finally let out his emotions, spiking the ball to the turf and celebrating his score.

“That was a lot of relief,” he said. “Just because I hadn’t been there in so long. It was definitely a lot of relief in that spike.”

And like the bulk of those in attendance, Payton was happy to see his bruising runner back in action.

“It was great to see Deuce back in there,” Payton said.

Bradley Handwerger can be reached at bhandwerger@wwltv.com or 504-529-6439.