SAN FRANCISCO (AP) Without saying whether former Australian rugby league star Jarryd Hayne will earn a spot on the 53-man roster as a return man, first-year 49ers coach Jim Tomsula continues to be impressed with the rookie in his switch to the NFL.
”First of all, to separate Jarryd from the total picture, again I’m pretty confident in Jarryd’s ability to field the ball,” Tomsula said.
”I’ve seen him field, I’ve watched a ton of tape on this guy fielding a rugby ball, I’ve seen him field here in practice, I’ve seen him field in game situations,” he added. ”I feel very good about his abilities to field.”
Hayne had a 34-yard punt return in the second preseason game against Dallas, adding to his stellar preseason debut a week earlier at Houston.
Against the Cowboys, he also ran two others back 23 and 27 yards and had eight carries for 54 yards.
”I feel very good about his abilities to perform with the ball in his hands on special teams. The tackling part of it, the coverage parts of it, I’ve seen a lot of improvement there,” Tomsula said. ”The guy will fly down the field in those areas. … I’ve seen what I need to see. I think there’s been a great evaluation on him.”
No. 38 might just stick when cut-down day comes. He had 258 total yards in the first two exhibition games then played a more limited role Saturday night at Denver – the typical game in which the starters play the most. He made one reception for 18 yards and carried twice for zero yards.
Hayne said he knew he wasn’t going to get much action against the Broncos.
”We knew Game 3, that’s when the starters get their most reps and preparation for (the opener),” he said after the game.
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