SANTA CLARA, Calif. — The San Francisco 49ers are going places if their offensive line can continue the rate of progress it has displayed during the team's 2-0 start.

But coach Mike Singletary said the line still is a work in progress as the 49ers prepare for their biggest test yet Sunday against the unbeaten Minnesota Vikings.

San Francisco's line had a breakout performance during last week's victory over Seattle after struggling the week before at Arizona.

"We played better and more physical up front, but we've got to get much better to get where we want to go," Singletary said. "We're going to be as good as our offensive line takes us on offense."

San Francisco rushed for 256 yards, its highest output since 2006, as halfback Frank Gore broke loose for 207 yards on 16 carries against the Seahawks.

It was a quantum leap over the season opener when the 49ers rushed for just 21 net yards and Gore was limited to 30 yards on 22 carries.

The difference came up front as the line consistently opened holes against an opponent that stacked the box with eight defenders.

Gore scored on runs of 79 and 80 yards, becoming the second NFL player to have two touchdown runs of 75 or more yards in the same game.

"It's all because of those guys up front," Gore said. "They played great. You can see it on the film. There were lanes after lanes for me to run in and I just took advantage of them."

Inconsistent play along the line has been an area of concern for the 49ers, who began the season with new starters in three positions along their offensive front compared to their 2008 opener.

San Francisco ranked 27th in the NFL in rushing offense last season. The 49ers allowed a franchise-record 55 sacks each of the past two years and have had problems so far this season protecting quarterback Shaun Hill, who has been sacked four times in each of the team's first two games.

But the line seemed to settle into a groove against Seattle.

"Everything was better last week and I think it really showed," said center Eric Heitmann, the veteran anchor of San Francisco's line. "We took the corrections from the first week and were able to implement them."

OUTSIDE THE LINES

NFL GETS B GRADE FOR INCREASED DIVERSITY

A new study found that the NFL has improved its hiring practices to increase diversity.

The league received an overall B grade in the report released yesterday by The Institute for Diversity and Ethics in Sport at the University of Central Florida. It earned an A- for racial hiring practices and a C on gender hiring practices. Those are the highest grades the NFL has received from the institute over the years.

"We are making progress, but we are certainly not content," NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said. "We know we can do better and we are committed to improving."

The study analyzed data provided by the league on the racial breakdown of players and coaches and the racial and gender breakdown of team and NFL management and other officials.

The institute had not issued the league a grade on gender since it received a D+ in 2004 because the NFL had not provided the data. The league started providing data again this year.

The report cited "sustained progress" in improving racial diversity at the head coach and general manager positions. The 32-team NFL has six African-American head coaches and five African-American general managers.

CHARGERS

TOMLINSON MAY NOT PLAY AGAINST DOLPHINS

Seven San Diego players missed practice yesterday, including running back LaDainian Tomlinson, outside linebacker Shawne Merriman and rookie right guard Louis Vasquez.

Coach Norv Turner said it's tougher to get players ready for Sunday's game if they miss the Thursday practice.

Turner said the team will see if Merriman (groin) and Vasquez (knee) can practice today. But he wasn't as optimistic about Tomlinson, who sprained his right ankle in the opener and missed last Sunday's home loss to Baltimore.

The Chargers host the Miami Dolphins on Sunday.

SEAHAWKS

QB HASSELBECK STILL QUESTIONABLE TO PLAY

Seattle quarterback Matt Hasselbeck, linebacker Lofa Tatupu and fullback Justin Griffith all were spectators and did not participate in practice yesterday.

The trio were out of practice for a second straight day. All three are question marks for Sunday's game against Chicago.

Hasselbeck has a cracked rib, Tatupu an injured hamstring and Griffith a sprained knee ligament.

SHORT SNAPS

Kansas City linebacker Derrick Johnson, who has made at least one big play in both games this year, says a pulled groin muscle will keep him out of Sunday's game at Philadelphia. .... Pittsburgh safety Tyrone Carter has been fined $5,000 for a hit that left him with a bruised left thigh. The NFL penalized Carter yesterday for his hit on Chicago tight end Greg Olsen last weekend. ... Minnesota running back Adrian Peterson, limited in practice the past two days, said yesterday that his back injury is "not a big deal at all," meaning he should play against San Francisco on Sunday.