NFL News: 49ers rookie Jarryd Hayne’s first touchdown could come against Green Bay Packers
Week 4 of the NFL could be Jarryd Hayne’s moment to finally record a touchdown ever since his remarkable transition from Australia’s rugby league to American football.
Hayne had the best play of his young NFL career when he sprinted to a 37-yard punt return in the San Francisco 49ers’, crushing 47-7 defeat against the Arizona Cardinals on Monday. Hayne’s highlight did not see him crash into the Cardinals’ end zone, although his play led to the 49ers’ lone touchdown of the game. However, the Australian sensation’s first touchdown could come this week when he plays the Green Bay Packers at Levi’s Stadium.
Tyler Emerick of the 49ers believes that Hayne’s chance for a touchdown off a punt return could come against the Packers, who were one of the two teams last season to allow a kickoff and punt return for a touchdown.
“Hayne lost his balance after shaking off a defender near the sideline or else he would’ve had a shot at the end zone,” Emerick wrote. “It feels like it’s only a matter of time until Hayne breaks one, and this would be the game to do it.”
Hayne is prepped to get more playing time as the 49ers’ punt returner after displaying the longest punt return of the club in two years. The 27-year-old Aussie’s play also puts him as a potential kickoff returner for San Francisco but the 49ers special teams coordinator Thomas McGaughey is convinced the former Eel’s best strength is punt return. He also added that Hayne is San Francisco’s “best punt catcher.”
“His strong suit is punt return and that's where we're going to continue to let him flourish,” McGaughey told Niners Nation. “That's where we're going to keep him at."
However, Hayne’s on-field time could still be threatened with the expected comeback of Reggie Bush and Bruce Ellington, who both have returned to full training for the 49ers. Bush is set to return as a back-up to first-choice running back Carlos Hyde, while Ellington will play as a wide receiver and punt returner, which is likely to leave Hayne on the sidelines.
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