Jarryd Hayne thinking too much of maximising limited opportunities with 49ers: Roger Craig

San Francisco 49ers rookie Jarryd Hayne had a quiet outing in his limited minutes with the San Francisco 49ers as they won their second game in the 2015-2016 NFL season. The 49ers held the Baltimore Ravens 25-20, but Hayne was a non-factor in San Francisco’s Week 6 victory, as he was once again fielded with minimal playing time and fumbled yet another punt in his very young NFL career.

Roger Craig, who won three Super Bowls with the 49ers and a Niners Hall of Famer, believes Hayne is thinking too much of what he can do with the limited opportunities given to him by San Francisco. Craig said Hayne could also be feeling the tension of early expectations or the desire to make the most of his minimal chances over the 49ers’ first six games of the regular season.

“Jarryd looked tight against the Ravens, as if he was trying to make something happen on every play,” Craig wrote on Fox Sports. “He was thinking, rather than reacting, and thinking too much in a game this fast can cost you big time.”

Craig added that he would like to see “Hayne Plane” go with his National Rugby League (NRL) roots and play with freedom like what he did during the pre-season games, where the former Eel turned heads with his spectacular punt returning skills. The four-time Pro Bowl athlete is also convinced Hayne needs to have more time on the field as running back (RB), noting that the 49ers needs to support the RB position, as Reggie Bush and Carlos Hyde are currently missing in action.

“This is something Jarryd has been dealing with every week,” Craig added. “I don’t know why the coaching staff haven’t given him more opportunities -- perhaps they’re scared of mistakes, maybe they’re still easing him into the NFL -- but the best way to accelerate his football education and improve his confidence is to get him out on the field more.”

Hayne admitted he was “devastated” with his third fumble of the season. The 27-year-old rookie dropped the ball as one of the Ravens clawed it out of his hands on his only play return of the day. Fortunately, it was recovered by San Francisco, which led to the team’s opening score of the game.

Despite Hayne’s most recent setback, 49ers coach Jim Tomsula believes the Australian rookie is “improving” his game in playing as RB. According to the ABC, Hayne is expected to be the third running back option, with Bush and Hyde poised to return healthy when they face archrival Seattle Seahawks in Week 7 of NFL.

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