Jarryd Hayne news: 49ers snub NFL rookie, signs Ravens' practice squad member for RB spot
Jarryd Hayne received another slap in the face after the San Francisco 49ers snubbed the Australian rugby league star, signing Baltimore Ravens practice squad member DuJuan Harris instead for the running back spot.
The 49ers have signed Harris to a two-year deal amid the team’s ongoing injury crisis, particularly with the running back position, which potentially ends Hayne’s chances to play San Francisco’s last two games of the 2015-2016 NFL season. According to Matt Maiocco of CSN Bay Area, with such a signing, the 49ers have “bypassed” the former Eel again after being continuously overlooked by coaches.
“The 49ers on Tuesday (US time) bypassed Jarryd Hayne off their own practice squad to sign running back DuJuan Harris off the practice squad of the Baltimore Ravens,” Maiocco wrote.
The decision to snub Hayne came at the same day 49ers coach Jim Tomsula endorsed the 27-year-old rookie’s work in the team’s practice squad. Tomsula said that Hayne is “real serious” about getting back into the active roster and the Aussie’s development has been progressive.
“He has taken the lion’s share of our practice squad reps, our look-team reps, inside and working those cuts off the blocks and things,” Tomsula told KNBR Radio. “We’re all extra happy with what he’s doing and the way he’s approaching it.”
Even if that was the case, according to Tim Kawakami of the San Jose Mercury News, the 49ers have no idea on how to utilise Hayne’s full potential. Kawakami noted that the 49ers have “no clue” on how to play Hayne, insisting that the team’s coaching staff has never wanted the Aussie in San Francisco.
Meanwhile, Harris will be the fifth RB that the 49ers brought into their 53-man active roster and is likely to replace the void left by Shaun Draughn, who suffered a game-ending injury against the Cincinnati Bengals this weekend.
Harris, who played for eight different NFL teams, has played 36 games for two starts during five active seasons. He averaged 3.9 yards per carry for rushing, compared to Hayne’s 3.1 from the Aussie’s very limited makes in six games.
Contact the writer at feedback@ibtimes.com.au, or let us know what you think below.
