49ers coach says Hayne return is ‘definitely an option’

ONE of Jarryd Hayne’s coaches has discussed the possibility of elevating the dumped Aussie back into the 49ers gameday squad.

PITTSBURGH, PA - SEPTEMBER 20: Jarryd Hayne #38 of the San Francisco 49ers warms up prior to the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field on September 20, 2015 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)

THE San Francisco 49ers special teams have been anything but special in the past week.

First, Jarryd Hayne was dropped from his starting punt returner role and then sent packing to the practice squad.

Then his replacement, veteran running back Reggie Bush, suffered a season-ending knee injury after slipping on concrete that surrounds the playing surface in St Louis.

On top of that, punter Bradley Pinion also left the game against the Rams with a calf strain, forcing kicker Phil Dawson to attempt a punt, and special teams star LJ McCray was sidelined with a meniscus tear in his knee.

It’s left special teams coach Thomas McGaughey with more than a few headaches ahead of this weekend’s game against Atlanta as he also seeks to incorporate newly-signed running backs Pierre Thomas and Shaun Draughn into his group.

Speaking to reporters at Levi’s Stadium on Thursday, McGaughey confirmed wide receiver Bruce Ellington will now field punts for the Niners.

“Next guy up, Bruce is next guy up,” McGaughey said. “He’ll do a good job. It’s starting to come together for him a little bit and the guys are excited about blocking for him. Bruce is definitely ascending.”

But McGaughey offered a glimmer of hope to Hayne — the Australian rugby league convert who was cut from the 53-man roster in favour of running back Kendall Gaskins ahead of the Rams game — in the following exchange with a reporter.

Reporter: Who would be the next guy up behind Bruce now Jarryd Hayne is not on the active roster?

McGaughey: “We have some options.

Reporter: Is bringing Hayne up one of those options?

“That’s always an option. Whenever you’ve got a guy on your roster ... I mean there’s a plethora of options you have but he’s definitely an option.”

Hayne was on scout team duties at 49ers practice today, wearing the jersey number of Falcons running back Devonta Freeman.

End-zone Cam: #49ers Blaine Gabbert warm-up pass to Jarryd Hayne (in #Falcons Davonta Freeman's 24) pic.twitter.com/5IHMU21JF0

— Cam Inman (@CamInman) November 4, 2015

Waiting for Ellington to get injured — as bad as it sounds — might not be such a bad option for Hayne. The 24-year-old has already battled hamstring, ankle and calf complaints this season while being a regular on the sidelines.

Pinion is expected to play against the Falcons but McCray is out long-term in a major blow to McGaughey’s unit.

“You don’t ever replace a guy like that. I mean, that guy he was really, really coming on,” McGaughey said. “L.J. is a special player. I think his ceiling is really, really high as far as a teams player is concerned. It’s hard to replace that speed and power and production.

“But we’ve got options. It’s next guy up. Quinton Patton and some of those other guys will step up and they’ll do a good job. We’re excited about the opportunity for those other guys to be able to step up, but losing L.J. is definitely a blow for sure.”

The 49ers are 2-6 and enter the game at home with a new quarterback, Blaine Gabbert, after coach Jim Tomsula made the call to bench starter Colin Kaepernick.