DENVER – Running back Jarryd Hayne, whose career in American football consisted of just two previous games, did not get the opportunity to add much game experience to his resume on Saturday night.
Hayne, the former Australia rugby league star, played just eight snaps on offense and handled one punt on his four special-teams plays in the 49ers’ 19-12 loss to the Denver Broncos in the third exhibition game for both teams.
Hayne did not play at all in the first half.
“We knew Game 3, that's when the starters get most reps," Hayne said. "This is their prep for Week 1, so we all knew that and it was a bit different. But we all knew that coming into the game."
Hayne was stood-up for no gains on two rushing attempts, but he came out of the backfield to catch an 18-yard pass from backup quarterback Blaine Gabbert.
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Hayne has distinguished himself on punt returns, and he again showed his ability to make yards in the kicking game. He fielded a third-quarter punt, made a decisive cut to turn upfield for 12 yards. Veteran Reggie Bush, who has not returned a punt in an NFL game since 2011, had a 4-yard return and allowed another punt to bounce in front of him and roll to the 3-yard line.
Within the week, the 49ers must reduce their 89-man roster to 53 players for the start of the regular season. And while Hayne is not guaranteed a spot, his return skills have seemingly placed him in a strong position.
“Jarryd obviously has himself in the conversation,” 49ers coach Jim Tomsula said. “I don’t want to sit here and make any statements, but Jarryd has himself in the conversation. Special teams value is very high when you’re talking about the last few spots on the team.”
In injury news, defensive lineman Quinton Dial experienced cramps and received intravenous fluids, Tomsula said. Cornerback Dontae Johnson got the wind knocked out of him, but returned to the game. And safety L.J. McCray “got banged up” but returned to the game, according to Tomsula.
Here’s a complete rundown of the 49ers’ play time on offense, defense and special teams:
Offensive
32 -- T Trent Brown, T Patrick Miller
30 -- G Ian Silberman
28 -- G Brandon Thomas, C Joe Looney, QB Blaine Gabbert
27 -- WR Quinton Patton
23 -- TE Blake Bell, G Alex Boone, T Erik Pears, TE Vernon Davis, WR Anquan Boldin, QB Colin Kaepernick, C Marcus Martin
21 -- WR Torrey Smith
19 -- RB Mike Davis
18 -- TE Xavier Grimble, RB Kendall Hunter
16 -- WR DeAndrew White
14-- TE Garrett Celek, WR Bruce Ellington
12-- WR Issac Blakeney
11 -- TE Busta Anderson
9 -- G Jordan Devey
8 -- RB Jarryd Hayne
6 -- RB Carlos Hyde
4 -- FB Bruce Miller, G Dillon Farrell, WR DiAndre Campbell, WR Chuck Jacobs, WR Nigel King, QB Dylan Thompson
3 -- RB Reggie Bush
2 -- WR Jerome Simpson
1 -- WR Kendall Gaskins
Did not play -- WR Dres Anderson, WR Mario Hull, TE Vance McDonald
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Defense
42 -- LB Corey Lemonier, CB Kenneth Acker, S Eric Reid, LB NaVorro Bowman, S Antoine Bethea
39 -- LB Eli Harold
36-- LB Shayne Skov, CB Keith Reaser, DE Arik Armstead, LB Aaron Lynch, LB Michael Wilhoite
34 -- NT Mike Purcell
33 -- CB Dontae Johnson
30 -- CB Shareece Wright
29 -- S Jaquiski Tartt, DE Tank Carradine
28 -- LB Steve Beauharnais
25 -- CB Marcus Cromartie
23 -- CB Leon McFadden
21 -- DB Jermaine Whitehead
20 -- S Jimmie Ward, DE Tony Jerod-Eddie
19 -- LB Marcus Rush
16-- S L.J. McCray
15 -- DE Glenn Dorsey
14 -- LB Shawn Lemon
12 -- NT Ian Williams, DE Darnell Dockett
6 -- LB Nick Bellore, NT Garrison Smith
4 -- DE Kaleb Ramsey, CB Mylan Hicks, DE Lawrence Okoye
Did not play -- CB Tramaine Brock, S Craig Dahl, LB Philip Wheeler, LB Desmond Bishop, LB Nick Moody
Special teams
17 -- Corey Lemonier, Marcus Cromartie, Nick Bellore
15 -- L.J. McCray
14 -- Kendall Gaskins
13 -- Eli Harold
12 -- Kenneth Acker, Dontae Johnson
11 -- Jaquiski Tartt
10 -- Shayne Skov, Shareece Wright, Kyle Nelson
9 -- Bruce Miller
8 -- Quinton Patton, Trey Millard
6 -- Mike Davis, Eric Reid, Jimmie Ward
5 -- Blake Bell, Xavier Grimble, Garrett Celek, Keith Reaser
4 -- Jarryd Hayne, Quinton Dial
3 -- Trent Brown, Ian Silberman, Dillon Farrell, Arik Armstead, Mike Purcell, Tony Jerod-Eddie, Sean Hooey, Phil Dawson, Corey Acosta
2 -- Patrick Miller, DeAndrew White, Bruce Ellington, Busta Anderson, Reggie Bush, NaVorro Bowman, Antoine Bethea, Aaron Lynch, Michael Wilhoite, Glenn Dorsey, Ian Williams, Justin Renfrow
1 -- Brandon Thomas, Joe Looney, Alex Boone, Erik Pears, Joe Staley, Andrew Tiller, Tank Carradine, Steve Beauharnais, Leon McFadden, Marcus Rush
