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Live: San Francisco 49ers v St Louis Rams

THE Dallas Cowboys will reportedly discuss picking up Jarryd Hayne, who was cut because the 49ers coach wanted a “heavier back”.

Jai BednallJai Bednall
@jaibednall
3 min read
November 2, 2015 - 10:47AM
SANTA CLARA, CA - OCTOBER 18: Running back Jarryd Hayne #38 of the San Francisco 49ers looks on from the sidelines during their NFL game against the Baltimore Ravens at Levi's Stadium on October 18, 2015 in Santa Clara, California. Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images/AFP == FOR NEWSPAPERS, INTERNET, TELCOS & TELEVISION USE ONLY ==
SANTA CLARA, CA - OCTOBER 18: Running back Jarryd Hayne #38 of the San Francisco 49ers looks on from the sidelines during their NFL game against the Baltimore Ravens at Levi's Stadium on October 18, 2015 in Santa Clara, California. Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images/AFP == FOR NEWSPAPERS, INTERNET, TELCOS & TELEVISION USE ONLY ==

SAN Francisco’s game against the Rams could not have gone any worse for the 49ers’ running backs — and any better for dumped Aussie Jarryd Hayne.

Already without starter Carlos Hyde — who is out for at least two weeks with a foot injury — the ‘Niners lost Reggie Bush and Mike Davis to injury in a 27-6 defeat in St Louis. There are reports San Francisco fears Bush may have torn his anterior cruciate ligament and Davis fractured his hand.

It left Kendall Gaskins, the player San Francisco promoted at the expense of Hayne, as the only healthy running back.

But the 49ers struggled on the ground all game, finishing with their lowest rushing total in six years as Davis and Gaskins combined for just 10 yards from 15 carries.

The chaos had one 49ers scribe tipping Hayne could be immediately readded to San Francisco’s 53-man roster if he’s not claimed by another team in the next 24 hours.

COWBOYS TO DISCUSS HAYNE

Hayne travelled home to the Bay Area on a commericial flight and now waits to find out where his NFL future lies.

Rival teams have until 8am tomorrow (AEDT) to sign the Australian, otherwise he is likely to stay in San Francisco.

The Dallas Cowboys are expected to discuss signing Hayne, according to team reporter Bryan Broaddus. Hayne had eight carries for 54 yards and returned three punts for 84 yards against the Cowboys in preseason. Dallas has been plagued by problems on special teams recently.

Hayne’s Australian agent Wayne Beavis has insisted his client has no plans to return to the NRL.

“There’s no chance of him coming back, none at all,” Beavis told AAP. “He is 100 per cent committed to what he is doing over there.”

TOMSULA EXPLAINS DECISION

San Francisco coach Jim Tomsula gave his first comments about the decision to cut Hayne in his post-match press conference, explaining it was because of a desire to get “a heavier back” in his gameday squad.

“Jarryd Hayne has done everything we asked him to do,” Tomsula said. “I made the decision to bring up a power back for the game today. We only have 53 spots and I made that decision.”

As for the struggles in the running game, Tomsula said: “We weren’t blocking and we weren’t running, we weren’t getting it done.”

Gaskins, who was elevated from the practice squad yesterday after Hayne was cut, endured a rough start to his first game in the NFL. He attempted his first carry in the first quarter but slipped after receiving the hand off and was tackled for a two-yard loss.

Bush started at punt returner for the 49ers but on his second return was pushed out of bounds and slipped and injured his knee.

The bloopers continued for the 49ers when Davis was tackled in the end zone for a safety. In the first quarter, the 49ers’ running backs had a combined seven carries for a net total of -3 yards.

As Davis continued to struggle in the second quarter, Rams running back Todd Gurley showed him how it was done by charging up the middle for a 71-yard touchdown run. St Louis completed a two-point conversion to take a 10-3 lead.

A diving touchdown to Tavon Austin allowed the Rams to extend their lead to 20-6 at halftime. Davis completed the half with 10 carries for a total of four yards gained.

Bush was ruled out for the rest of the game early in the third quarter. He was joined on the sidelines by Davis, who suffered a hand injury.

Gaskins re-entered the game midway through the third quarter but managed carries of just one and two yards as the 49ers were forced to punt.

He took his total to six yards from five carries with a pair of two-yard gains later in the quarter.

The Rams put the game out of reach midway through the fourth with another touchdown to Austin. The pocket rocket received a pass and took it 66 yards to set up the final scoreline of 27-6.

Bruce Ellington replaced Bush at punt returner and averaged 9.5 yards from four returns, including one 27-yard dash.

Support for Hayne continues to pour in from prominent Australian sporting identities, including Tim Cahill and Anthony Mundine.

Originally published as Live: San Francisco 49ers v St Louis Rams

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Original URL: https://www.goldcoastbulletin.com.au/sport/american-sports/live-san-francisco-49ers-v-st-louis-rams/news-story/19112ef39d9a70735497c0df9b8f6bc6