NFL News: Jarryd Hayne harms 49ers’ chance of winning
San Francisco 49ers rookie Jarryd Hayne has never been excluded in the 49ers’ active list so far, but Niners radio station KNBR suggests Hayne is becoming a liability for the club and should not be suiting up for game days.
While most pundits and fans believe Hayne should take up more playing time on the pitch as punt returner or running back, Niners radio station KNBR writer Dieter Kurtenbach noted that the Australian rugby league star should not be allowed to play in any game where injury-plagued Reggie Bush also suits up. Kurtenbach also insisted that Hayne, despite his excellent skills in returning punts, was clearly not considered as a sustainable running back backup.
“Hayne has to be the third option at running back for the Niners, and if Bush plays, his calf is too big a risk to keep the Australian active,” Kurtenbach wrote. “There are other guys who can return punts, but the 49ers need a backup running back, and it’s clear that Hayne is not the man for the job.”
Kurtenbach also claimed that Hayne has no chance of even grabbing a third stringer slot in the running back position behind Carlos Hyde and Bush. Kurtenbach added that the 49ers’ better running back option is Mike Davis, who took 40 snaps in Week 2 and 18 in Week 3.
“Bush can’t stay healthy and Hyde can’t take every snap without getting injured himself — those are facts,” Kurtenbach added. “The only variable is who backs them up, and if Bush is active for Sunday’s game, that third back should not be Hayne.”
However, Hayne could play as first-choice running back for the 49ers in Week 6 of the 2016-2016 NFL regular season, with the team’s top running back Hyde and Bush sidelined. According to San Jose Mercury News, Hyde missed the team’s training on Wednesday due to a foot injury, while Bush is resting an aggravated calf injury. The report also revealed that Hayne was taking first snaps in the 49ers’ practice session, prompting speculations that the Australian sensation could be listed as the club’s starting running back.
Hayne came in the 49ers 30-27 loss against the New York Giants as a running back reliever and was close to scoring his first NFL career touchdown before being stopped four yards from the end zone by the Giants defenders. “Hayne Plane” followed it with a 1-yard gain that setup a touchdown pass from star quarterback Colin Kaepernick to Anquan Boldin.
The San Francisco 49ers will have the chance to end their four-game winning streak on Monday when they face the Baltimore Ravens, who also have a 1-4 record.
Contact the writer at feedback@ibtimes.com.au, or let us know what you think below.