Former rugby star Jarryd Hayne appeared in eight games with the San Francisco 49ers last season, but he failed to accomplish his ultimate goal — scoring a touchdown.
Hayne rushed a total of 17 times for 52 yards. While he is signed through 2017, it is unclear if the Niners intend to bring him back with Jim Tomsula having been fired. Tomsula used Hayne primarily as a special teamer, but the 27-year-old recently expressed a willingness to do more.
“I like being out wide like a wide receiver. Running back’s also very enjoyable as well,” he told the AAP via ESPN.com. “I think for me, it’s just about being versatile and playing anywhere they put me.”
Of course, Hayne isn’t only in it for the touchdowns. He’s willing to line up anywhere the coaches ask him too, though finding pay dirt is clearly at the forefront of his thinking.
“I got close (to scoring) twice this year. I was devastated,” he said. “It was actually a route that I ran that if I had run it a bit different, I would’ve scored against Detroit. I come close, and then obviously that one against the NY Giants as well. Definitely next year, it has to be done. It has to be done.”
Hayne was a huge story last preseason because of his rugby background and some of the huge plays he made (videos here), but the 49ers showed reluctance to promote him from their active roster toward the end of the season. You have to wonder if that means his time in San Francisco has come to a close.
