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Jarryd Hayne’s San Francisco 49ers v Denver Broncos, NFL preseason

JARRYD Hayne showed he could be more than just a punt returner with another highlight moment for the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday.

Jai BednallJai Bednall
@jaibednall
5 min read
August 30, 2015 - 4:19PM

JARRYD Hayne showed he could be more than just a punt returner with another highlight moment for the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday.

The Australian rugby league convert was forced to wait until the second half to make an appearance in a 19-12 defeat against the Denver Broncos.

After producing a game-high 12-yard effort on his sole punt return of the game the Aussie made the first catch of his NFL career — an 18-yard reception that was the second-longest by any 49ers player in the game.

It very nearly could have become the first touchdown of Hayne’s career but he was dragged down in a last-ditch tackle by Denver linebacker Steven Johnson. “If he can get out in the open this guy knows what he’s doing,” the game commentator said.

Hayne didn’t have the same impact at running back as he had in games against the Houston Texans and Dallas Cowboys, being stopped for no gain on both of his two carries.

Reggie Bush was preferred at punt returner in the opening half but only managed four yards on his first attempt and made a poor decision to allow the ball to bounce on his second attempt which cost the 49ers field position.

Hayne might have been frustrated by being overlooked for playing time, but the 49ers return game suffered in his absence.

Asked after the game about Hayne’s prospects of making San Francisco’s final 53-man roster, 49ers coach Jim Tomsula said: “Jarryd’s obviously got himself in the conversation. I don't want to sit here and make statements today but he’s definitely got himself in the conversation.”

The 49ers play their final preseason game against San Diego on Friday at noon (AEST). Continue reading for our live coverage of Sunday’s game, including all of Hayne’s key contributions.

FIRST QUARTER

The 49ers opted to defer, handing Peyton Manning and the Broncos’ offence the first possession of the game. After a couple of completions the Broncos were forced to punt but it was Reggie Bush returning for the 49ers — not Hayne.

Bush returned the ball only four yards to the San Francisco 33-yard line, but the 49ers were penalised 10 yards for a hold on the play. Carlos Hyde started at running back for the 49ers but the visitors were forced to punt after Colin Kaepernick was sacked and Bush was slammed into the turf by Broncos cornerback Aqib Talib.

The Broncos responded with a 56-yard 14-play drive but had to settle for a field goal and a 3-0 lead. DeAndrew White returned the ensuing kick-off for the 49ers, taking the ball 30 yards to the San Francisco 22-yard line. The 49ers were forced to punt again and trailed 3-0 at quarter time.

SECOND QUARTER

The 49ers forced a Broncos punt early in the second quarter and it was Bush again back to return it. But Bush misjudged the flight of the ball and decided to let it bounce — all the way back to the San Francisco three-yard line.

The 49ers offence failed again on the next possession. Kaepernick was sacked in the end zone for a safety and the Broncos took a 5-0 lead.

Manning was intercepted on the Broncos next drive but the 49ers offence failed to capitalise, punting for the third time in four possessions.

Denver then put together its best drive of the game but again failed to find the end zone as the 49ers defence held firm. A 21-yard Broncos field goal stretched their lead to 8-0.

Bruce Ellington became the third 49ers player — after Bush and White — to take a turn in the return game in the ensuing kick-off. But he stepped out the back of the end zone while making the catch and was denied the opportunity to run the ball back.

Two long runs by Kaepernick allowed the 49ers to move the ball within field goal range and score their first points of the game to make the score 8-3 at half-time.

THIRD QUARTER

It was Ellington in to return the kick-off for the 49ers, who took out most of their starting offence. A quick three-and-out was followed by a long Broncos field goal attempt, which fell just short.

San Francisco’s back-up quarterback Blaine Gabbert made a nice throw to Garrett Celek to allow the 49ers to draw within 8-6 with a 50-yard field goal.

The 49ers defence forced a Broncos punt — and Aussie fans following the game were delighted to see Hayne finally inserted into the game. The Aussie didn’t have much room to move but still gained 12 yards. It was the longest punt return by any player in the game.

Hayne then saw his first time at running back but was stopped for no gain on his first carry.

The 49ers used him as a receiver on the same drive but Gabbert’s pass deep right was incomplete. San Francisco was able to convert the drive into a field goal and take a 9-8 lead.

FOURTH QUARTER

The Broncos regained a 11-9 lead with a field goal early in the final quarter. Hayne was put in to receive the kick-off but it sailed over his head out the back of the end zone.

After being “smacked and stopped” — as the commentator described it — on his next carry, Hayne was again used as a receiver out of the backfield. And this time he made a nice reception, taking a pass from Gabbert 18 yards in his best play of the game.

The 49ers converted the drive into another field goal, retaking the lead 12-11. But the Broncos took it right back on their next possession, scoring the first touchdown of the game and adding a two-point conversion to make the score 19-12.

Hayne’s final involvement came on the 49ers’ last possession. He was targeted with a throw by third-string quarterback Dylan Thompson but it sailed over his head. The game commentator indicated Hayne was to blame for the play. “He didn’t seem to run the right route for his quarterback, at least according to that body language from Dylan Thompson,” the commentator said.

PRE-GAME

The rugby league convert was expected to see game time as a punt returner but to wait until the second half to have any carries at running back as the 49ers give extended playing time to Carlos Hyde, Reggie Bush and Kendall Hunter in a preseason game which is seen as the main dress rehearsal for the regular season.

San Francisco coach Jim Tomsula was reluctant to give too much away in the lead-up to the game but suggested Bush could also be used to return punts. “He may,” Tomsula told reporters.

Hayne’s rapid transformation from an elite NRL player to an apprentice running back, who just months ago had a cheat sheet of scribbled down plays tucked into his pants, has been a sensation.

He is the NFL’s fourth-ranked running back in the pre-season with 117 rushing yards, although the top two, Detroit’s Zach Zenner and Kansas City’s Charcandrick West, have played one more game than the Australian.

Hayne is the NFL’s third-ranked punt returner, with 108 yards, with Philadelphia’s Kenjon Barner first with 225 yards and Minnesota’s Stefon Diggs, after playing three games, second with 150 yards.

The 49ers vs Broncos will be played at Denver’s Mile High Stadium, situated 1.6km above sea level. It will provide Hayne an opportunity to share the same field as one of his NFL idols, five-time league MVP and Bronco quarterback Manning. You can find details on how to watch the game here.

The 49ers’ final preseason game will be on Friday against San Diego, the team announces the 53-man roster two days later and their NFL regular season opener is against Minnesota on September 14.

— with AAP

Originally published as Jarryd Hayne’s San Francisco 49ers v Denver Broncos, NFL preseason

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Original URL: https://www.thechronicle.com.au/sport/american-sports/jarryd-haynes-san-francisco-49ers-v-denver-broncos-nfl-preseason/news-story/05c843ab27942ccd853d879f7baebc7b