Head coach Jim Tomsula said Friday that Reggie Bush will not travel with the team to Pittsburgh because of his calf injury.
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Then came his first official touch, and down went his first fumble, on a muffed punt in the first quarter of an eventual 20-3 win over the Minnesota Vikings.
Tomsula could instead opt for rookie Mike Davis, meaning Hayne would either miss selection all together or play as the third running back and return punts for the 49ers. Additionally, Bruce Ellington reported to team headquarters on Friday with a sore ankle.
The 49ers aren’t saying if he’s still their punt returner, but no one isdown on Australian rookie Jarryd Hayne, including 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick.
“We’re going to leave him back here, let him get the treatment”, Tomsula said.
Added Hayne: “For me, pass protection is one of the things I ve adapted really well, in picking up blitzes”.
A key element for any running back is pass protection, andapparently Hayne is mastering that daunting assignment.
It will be two Australians competing head-to-head in a regular season National Football League game.
49ers offensive co-ordinator Geep Chryst earlier indicated Hayne would be the first-option back-up to Hyde.
Berry may not have Hayne’s brand recognition in Australia, but the Essendon-raised 24-year-old, who previous year was working in a McDonald’s in Melbourne, has captured the attention of the 49ers’ coaching staff.
The Niners, though, like Hayne’s aggressiveness when it comes to fielding and returning punts, or have you forgotten his Willie Mays-like over-the-shoulder grab and ensuing 27-yard return against the Dallas Cowboys in the second preseason game?
Berry beat another Australian punter, Brad Wing, for the Steelers’ punting job and showed why in last week’s season opener against the Super Bowl champion New England Patriots.
“Young players make mistakes sometimes, trying too hard or trying to do what got them here”, McGaughey said.
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The 196centimetre-tall boot, who played at minnow college Eastern Kentucky, received plenty of accolades for his two-punt debut, averaging 43.5 yards and a top kick of 50.
