Jarryd Hayne reveals the shocking toll of head injuries in the NFL

JARRYD Hayne has revealed the reason he’s suffered through sleepless nights after just one season playing in the NFL.

Jarryd Hayne Returns

JARRYD Hayne has revealed a concerning insight into the regularity of head injuries in the NFL, admitting the heavy hits are “scary”.

The San Francisco running back says he has struggled to sleep as a result of head injuries in his first season in the NFL.

In a wide-ranging interview with Triple M’s Grill Team, Hayne said he was shocked by the impact of hits in the NFL.

When asked to compare the difference between recovering from an NFL game and an NRL game, Hayne revealed how he struggled to recover from his one match of the season when he was first-string running back for the 49ers against the Detroit Lions.

“When I came off the full game I played in Detroit, my head was ringing,” Hayne said.

“That was obviously my first time being out there for that long. Literally, it was hard to sleep.

“Your head, your neck, your shoulders, people don’t realise that just because you’ve got a helmet on, doesn’t mean it helps your brain or anything like that.

“Your brain is still hitting your skull. The couple of head on hits that I had, they knock you about.

“The NRL is pretty endurance based, so you feel exhausted, but then the NFL, them hits, the impact that they have.”

When asked about the ongoing issue of concussion in the NFL and the brain trauma suffered by retired players, Hayne admitted it is scary to think about the helmet-to-helmet collisions he’s already had.

“I wouldn’t say I’m worried, but there is definitely that kind of impact,” he said.

“As an athlete you kind of put your body in those situations because you’re prepared to do whatever it takes.

“Everyone does that. It is scary. For me, after that full game I played, I was like, ‘I don’t know how a running back can do that for 10 years.’ It’s some heavy hits.”

Hayne made nine rushes at running back for the 49ers in their loss to the Lions in round 16, running for 27 yards, while also making five catches for 20-yards when playing at wide receiver.

HAYNE’S NRL PROSPECTS

Don’t hold your breath.

JARRYD Hayne brushed aside questions of a potential return to the NRL in the immediate future, saying he is not looking beyond his 2016-17 NFL season with the 49ers.

However, Hayne said he is standing by his promise to return to the Parramatta Eels, if he chooses to return to rugby league down the track.

He said if he stays in the NFL for five more seasons he may not ever return to play in Australia.

“I’ll be 32 then, I doubt I’d have the endurance,” he said.

“I’ve always said if I came back I’d go to Parra if they wanted me. That was always something I said from the start.

“It’s funny when you see media outlets say, ‘I’m doing this, I’m doing that,’ and it’s even funnier when you see Parra fans get online and have a go at me. If you believe that, you’re a clown.”

Hayne also told The Today Show: “I don’t look too far ahead, but obviously that would be a fairytale for NRL fans, but for me, I know where I’m at next year and I just worry about that one step at a time.”

HAYNE EXPLAINS TOUCHDOWN MISS

Missed it by that much.

JARRYD Hayne has explained the friendly-fire spoil that cost him a touchdown.

Hayne was brought down just three yards short of his first touchdown when the 49ers lost to the New York Giants in October.

Hayne said a mix-up between his two blockers actually closed the laneway he needed to run into the endzone from close range.

After crashing through to within four yards of the endzone, Hayne could only manage a one-yard gain on the next play.

“I thought I was going to go over,” he said.

“My two blockers that were in front of me, they actually tripped over each other. I was devastated.

“I was obviously close. The boys obviously didn’t go to the area where they were meant to block at. They actually came free, which is very uncommon because usually, there’s always a man-to-man match up in the blocking system.

“They both came free, ran into the same hole and tripped over each other. That allowed the defence to just nab me three yards short.”

So. Hard. To. Tackle. #HaynePlayne. pic.twitter.com/sQZ8gVEXOk

— NFL (@NFL) October 12, 2015

THE COACHING CONUNDRUM

Cut-throat business.

JARRYD Hayne says he is yet to speak to new coach Chip Kelly.

Despite being assured of his spot on the 49ers roster next season by 49ers general manager Trent Baalke, Hayne said NFL rules prohibit him from speaking with his incoming mentor until April 6.

Hayne also paid thanks to sacked Niners coach Jim Tomsula.

“Jim was great to me,” he said.

“It wasn’t him or anything like that. I understood. You get your chances in the NFL. It didn’t help that I had a few fumbles and loose carries. That was just a learning experience.”

Originally published as Jarryd Hayne reveals the shocking toll of head injuries in the NFL