Skip to main content

CSN Bay Area

HOME  >  NEWS  >  SPORTS
Hayne makes final bid to be 49ers' return specialist
Share This Post
Comments
Thursday, September 3, 2015 - 11:15pm
Follow @maioccocsn

SANTA CLARA –- Jarryd Hayne’s remarkable audition for a spot on the 49ers’ 53-man roster came to an impressive conclusion on Thursday night.

Hayne figures to make the team’s initial 53-man roster after catching, running and willing his way into a strong four-game showing during the exhibition season.

Hayne and Bruce Ellington figure to be the 49ers’ top two candidates to handle the team’s return chores. But is there a clear-cut winner in that competition after both enjoyed strong closing arguments?

“Everything will be clear-cut right after the weekend,” 49ers coach Jim Tomsula said after his team capped the exhibition season with a 14-12 victory over the San Diego Chargers in a game in which the starters watched from the sidelines.

[MAIOCCO: Instant Replay: 49ers' Ellington asserts self in final tuneup]

Hayne finished as the NFL’s second-leading rusher during the exhibition season with 175 yards on 25 attempts. Detroit’s Zach Zenner gained 183 yards on 10 more attempts. Hayne had a game-high 58 yards 10 attempts on Friday against the Chargers, and said he is feeling more natural in American football after his career in rugby league.

“For the first time I was comfortable and got my pads low which is good, so it’s good to be working on that all the time and finally get that down pat,” Hayne said. “Yeah, I feel like it was good.”

Hayne lowered the boom on a bruising 12-yard run in which he decked cornerback Lowell Rose, who spent 2013 training camp with the 49ers. The play energized the 49ers’ bench and was replayed several times on the big screens to the delight of the fans at Levi’s Stadium.

“Our coaches are always about lowering our shoulders, you know, getting ready for contact,” Hayne said. “So it was just a situation that, like I said, all that training, all the hours on the field, to finally see it come together.”

Said Tomsula of Hayne’s hit on Rose, “I’m not going to disrespect any other player, but I will tell you that I think Jarryd is a tough guy.”

Hayne’s main chance to be a contributor this season is likely as a return specialist. He averaged 14.3 yards on three returns. On nine returns this summer, he averaged 18.1 yards. On his final time deep, the 49ers gave him orders to call for a fair catch – no matter what -– and just stand there, Tomsula said.

“He can help us a lot,” Ellington said. “He knows how to set it up and make big plays. Special teams is something we didn’t have last year, so I think with him, he can help us out a lot.”

Ellington had a strong final game of the exhibition season after being limited through the entire offseason program and most of training camp with a right hamstring strain.

A minute into the game, Ellington caught a short slant from his college teammate, Dylan Thompson, and took it the rest of the way for a 70-yard touchdown. Ellington also averaged 14.7 yards on three punt returns. “

“That’s the reason Bruce is here,” Tomsula said. “That’s what we know Bruce can do.”

Ellington was the 49ers’ return specialist last season, but he’s not sure how that is going to play out, beginning on Monday, Sept. 14, when the 49ers open the season against the Minnesota Vikings.

“Me, of course I want to be that,” Ellington said. “But it’s up the coaches (to decide) who makes the most plays.”

--Tomsula opted to give all of his starters the night off. Instead, the team had a full practice of approximately 45 plays on Wednesday. He said he plans to have another full practice on Friday.

The 49ers are expected to make one round of cuts on Friday morning. The final players cut on Saturday will most likely be the players the 49ers would like to bring back to the practice squad.

--Even backup quarterback Blaine Gabbert did not see action. Gabbert had a strong exhibition season, completing 23 of 28 pass attempts (82.1 percent) for 203 yards with one touchdown and no interceptions.

“We’ve played Blaine Gabbert a lot,” Tomsula said. “We have evaluated Blaine. We’ve got enough film on Blaine to go through teaching and things like that. And we wanted to work some young offensive linemen. And, quite frankly, we wanted to give Dylan an opportunity to get out there and ‘See what you got there, buddy.’ ”

NBCBayArea.com

There is no data to display.

Video

Melvin recaps key moments in back-and-forth battle with Seattle
Heston points out mistakes made in back-to-back jacks vs Rockies
Bochy: 'Bats are just quiet, having a hard time generating offense'
Kruk & Kuip: Big hit evades Giants in loss to Rockies

Giants

NL West Watch: Dodgers top Padres, up season-high 7.5 games
Giants' Cain, Panik continue progress in rehab game
Gonzalez, Arenado homer off Heston as Giants' skid hits seven
Mat Latos, Dodgers already having issues
Read More

Athletics

Rewind: Valencia playing his way into next year's picture
Instant Replay: A's edged by Mariners in high-scoring affair
A's notes: Nolin gets his chance with Sunday start
A's lineup: Vogt scratched late, Ladendorf playing left
Read More

Sharks

Sharks outlook: Sights set on Nieto turning talent into results
LA Kings' Voynov detained by US Immigration Department
Sharks outlook: Chemistry between Pavelski, Thornton key
LA Kings, Kopitar 'not even in the ballpark' on new deal
Read More

49ers

Reports: Fred Jackson joins Seahawks' backfield
Report: Patriots worked out former 49ers DL Okoye
Top 5 takeaways from 49ers' 14-12 win over Chargers
Tracker: 49ers make moves toward 53-man roster
Read More

Raiders

Tracker: Raiders begin moves to 53-man roster
Report: Raiders to release QB Christian Ponder
LB Moore bids farewell to Raiders, traded to Colts
49ers' Hayne has NFL rethinking global recruitment systems
Read More

Warriors

Warriors raise championship banner in practice facility
Warriors 'not changing course,' arena plan gets boost from title
Former assistant stole millions from ex-Warrior Arenas
Warriors open preseason with giveaway at SAP Center
Read More

NCAA

Ervin runs for three TDs as San Jose State opens with win
Cal football primed for bounce-back season
Stanford football voted No. 21 in AP preseason poll
Read More
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • MLB Standings
  • Amy G
  • Insider Alex Pavlovic
  • Buy Giants Gear
  • Buy Giants Tickets

Latest News

NL West Watch: Dodgers top Padres, up season-high 7.5 games
Associated Press

GIANTS VIDEO

Heston points out mistakes made in back-to-back jacks vs Rockies
Heston points out mistakes made in back-to-back jacks vs Rockies
See more >

GIANTS INSIDER

  • Rewind: Giants look flat, waste opportunity at Coors Field
  • Instant Replay: Vogelsong rocked, Giants' skid hits six
  • Rewind: Kershaw reaches new heights, puts Giants 6 1/2 back
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • MLB Standings
  • Insider Joe Stiglich
  • Buy Athletics Gear
  • Buy Athletics Tickets

Latest News

Rewind: Valencia playing his way into next year's picture
Joe Stiglich

A's VIDEO

Melvin recaps key moments in back-and-forth battle with Seattle
Melvin recaps key moments in back-and-forth battle with Seattle
See more >

A's INSIDER

There is no data to display.

  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NHL Standings
  • Insider Kevin Kurz
  • Buy Sharks Gear
  • Buy Sharks Tickets

Latest News

Sharks outlook: Sights set on Nieto turning talent into results
(7)
Kevin Kurz

SHARKS VIDEO

Kurz: With Jones in fold, Sharks still need help in several spots
Kurz: With Jones in fold, Sharks still need help in several spots
See more >

SHARKS INSIDER

  • Sharks outlook: Sights set on Nieto turning talent into results
  • Sharks outlook: Chemistry between Pavelski, Thornton key
  • Sharks outlook: Smith needs better linemates to produce
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NBA Standings
  • Insider Monte Poole
  • Buy Warriors Gear
  • Buy Warriors Tickets

Latest News

Warriors raise championship banner in practice facility
(6)
CSN Bay Area staff

WARRIORS VIDEO

But Seriously: How will move to SF impact Warriors' revenue?
But Seriously: How will move to SF impact Warriors' revenue?
See more >

WARRIORS INSIDER

  • Warriors 'not changing course,' arena plan gets boost from title
  • GM Myers: Warriors plan to keep Barnes, Ezeli 'a long time'
  • Curry takes big-picture approach with free agency remarks
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NBA Standings
  • Buy Kings Gear
  • Buy Kings Tickets

Latest News

Report: Kings will bring back big man Eric Moreland
(1)
ProBasketballTalk

Kings Video

Sim Bhullar reveals he's 25-30 pounds lighter entering Summer League
Sim Bhullar reveals he's 25-30 pounds lighter entering Summer League
See more >

More Stories

Report: Kings among teams interested in C Hollins
(1)
Report: Kings sign former NCAA star Marshall Henderson
(2)
See more >
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NFL Standings
  • Insider Matt Maiocco
  • Buy 49ers Gear
  • Buy 49ers Tickets

Latest News

Reports: Fred Jackson joins Seahawks' backfield
(22)
CSN Bay Area staff

49ers VIDEO

Hayne learning to run 'American style' from roomie Carlos Hyde
Hayne learning to run 'American style' from roomie Carlos Hyde
See more >

49ers INSIDER

There is no data to display.

  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NFL Standings
  • Insider Scott Bair
  • Buy Raiders Gear
  • Buy Raiders Tickets

Latest News

Tracker: Raiders begin moves to 53-man roster
(16)
Scott Bair

RAIDERS VIDEO

1-on-1 with Raiders play-by-play announcer Beth Mowins
1-on-1 with Raiders play-by-play announcer Beth Mowins
See more >

RAIDERS INSIDER

  • Tracker: Raiders begin moves to 53-man roster
  • Report: Raiders to release QB Christian Ponder
  • LB Moore bids farewell to Raiders, traded to Colts
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • MLS Standings
  • MLS Player Leaders
  • Buy Quakes Gear
  • Buy Quakes Tickets

Top Story

Earthquakes blank Galaxy to get fourth straight win
Associated Press

Quakes Video

But Seriously: How do women's sports improve audience?
But Seriously: How do women's sports improve audience?
See more >

Quakes Shop

JOE STIGLICH

Rewind: Valencia playing his way into next year's picture
See more >

ALEX PAVLOVIC

Rewind: Giants look flat, waste opportunity at Coors Field
(39)
See more >

MATT MAIOCCO

Top 5 takeaways from 49ers' 14-12 win over Chargers
See more >

SCOTT BAIR

Tracker: Raiders begin moves to 53-man roster
(16)
See more >

MONTE POOLE

Warriors 'not changing course,' arena plan gets boost from title
(3)
See more >

KEVIN KURZ

Sharks outlook: Sights set on Nieto turning talent into results
(7)
See more >

RAY RATTO

Stanford plants flag as leader in gluten-free designs

SAY HEY TUESDAY

Join us for Say Hey Tuesday – every Tuesday Giants home game.

ENTER TO WIN A TRIP TO UNIVERSAL ORLANDO!

nbc

Click here and enter to win a trip to Universal Orlando, presented by Bookit.com!

AFF - A'S

Authentic Fan Friday - A's

Come to Authentic Fan Friday at the A's! 

Sit in the Value Deck and score free giveaways - get more info here!

 

NCAA

  • Stanford Football
  • Stanford Basketball
  • Stanford Women's Basketball
  • Cal Football
  • Cal Basketball
  • Cal Women's Basketball
  • SJSU Football
  • SJSU Basketball
  • USF Basketball
  • USF Women's Basketball
  • Saint Mary's Basketball
  • Santa Clara Basketball
  • Fresno State Football

MORE

  • Biz Ball
  • SaberCats
  • Fight Sports
  • Motor Sports
  • GolfChannel.com
  • Tennis
  • Ray Ratto

 

TICKETS

  • Giants Tickets
  • A's Tickets
  • 49ers Tickets
  • Raiders Tickets
  • Warriors Tickets
  • Kings Tickets
  • Sharks Tickets
Curry Jersey
Giants Fitted Hat
49ers Hoodie

Mega Menu: Shop

  • Giants
  • A's Shop
  • 49ers
  • Raiders Shop
  • Warriors
  • Kings Shop
  • Sharks Shop

Mega Menu: Shop - Tickets

  • Giants Tickets
  • A's Tickets
  • 49ers Tickets
  • Raiders Tickets
  • Warriors Tickets
  • Kings Tickets
  • Sharks Tickets

Latest Videos

Melvin recaps key moments in back-and-forth battle with Seattle
Melvin recaps key moments in back-and-forth battle with Seattle
See more >

ORIGINAL PROGRAMMING

  • G-Mag
  • All A's
  • Carpool Confessions
  • Amy G’s Exclusives
  • Eireann Dolan's Call to the 'Pen
  • When Giants Fan Met Dodgers Fan

TV SHOWS

  • All Videos
  • SportsNet Central
  • SportsTalk Live
  • But Seriously

INSIDERS

  • Ray Ratto - Senior Insider
  • Matt Maiocco - 49ers
  • Scott Bair - Raiders
  • Monte Poole - Warriors
  • Kevin Kurz - Sharks
  • Joe Stiglich - A's
  • Alex Pavlovic - Giants
  • TV Schedule - Bay Area and California
  • Channel Locations - Bay Area
  • Channel Locations - California