Jarryd Hayne News: 49ers rookie could be inactive in Week 8 against Rams

San Francisco 49ers rookie Jarryd Hayne could be inactive for the second consecutive time when the team faces the St Louis Rams on Sunday at Edward Jones Stadium.

Hayne was benched in the 49ers’ 20-3 loss against the Seattle Seahawks last week following a series of fumbled punts in as many games in his rookie season. Against the Rams, the Australian rugby league star could have another week on the bench, according to Sacramento Bee’s Matt Barrows.

“Warning to Australian NFL fans: 49ers rookie running back Jarryd Hayne, who was inactive for the first time this season Thursday, may not be in uniform Sunday in St. Louis, either,” Barrows wrote. “Hayne’s main role through the first six games was as a punt returner, but in last Thursday’s game against the Seahawks, the job went to Reggie Bush, and it appears the veteran will remain in that role.”

Hayne has averaged 9.5 yards per return, while Bush has a career average of 7.9 yards with four touchdowns on punt returns. Bush, who missed most of the first six games due to a calf injury, was lackluster in his punt return role against the Seahawks after letting two punts bounce and calling a fair catch for another, with only nine yards for his return.

Hayne could have a chance to regain his spot as the 49ers’ primary punt returner, but special teams coach Thomas McGaughey seems to be content on having Bush at the punt return role. McGaughey said he feels “very comfortable with” Bush running the show at punt returns, hinting that the 10-year NFL veteran could stay at the positions as long as he feels comfortable playing it.

Geep Chryst, 49ers offensive coordinator, also believes Hayne is not the man to be fielded on game days on running back duties. According to News, Chryst said that learning pass protection was the hardest thing for rookie running backs like Hayne. The Australian rookie missed a pass protection assignment in his last game against the Baltimore Ravens, leading to star quarterback Colin Kaepernick getting sacked partly because of Hayne failing to pick up a blitz.

“That's the hardest thing for rookies,” Chryst said. “That’s really hard for him [Hayne] to understand, all the subtleties with the blitz pick-up and all the protection.”

Hayne’s status for the 49ers’ Week 8 game could still change, with top running back Carlos Hyde, who sat out on the team’s practice, still with injury concern. Meanwhile, San Francisco could have a chance to grab their third win of the NFL 2015-2016 season, but their playoff hopes could be in jeopardy if they do not win most of the remaining games.

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