Jarryd Hayne
San Francisco 49ers rookie Jarryd Hayne said he did not like getting benched during the team's 20-3 loss against the Seattle Seahawks, but the Australian rugby league star accepted it as part of his NFL journey. Reuters/Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

San Francisco 49ers rookie Jarryd Hayne was inactive in the team’s 20-3 loss against the Seattle Seahawks on Friday but the Australian rugby league star is ready to face the challenge of getting back on the field during game days.

Hayne appears to have paid the price for committing a string of errors in his first six games of the 2015-2016 NFL season. But despite the recent setback of not suiting up for the 49ers in Week 7 of the league, Hayne is looking forward to get back in the mix of San Francisco’s 46-man squad.

"I enjoy challenges,” Hayne said, reports Stuff. “Obviously one of those is to be active again."

It was the first time this season “Hayne Plane” did not take flight. The 27-year-old rookie has struggled with his ball handling in the past week, fumbling a punt during the 49ers’ 25-20 win over the Baltimore Ravens.

Hayne has been putting up decent numbers in his rookie season, averaging 9.5 yards on eight punt returns, but 49ers coach Jim Tomsula opted to put Bruce Ellington (8.2 yards per return) as the first-choice punt returner, while Carlos Hyde, who has been enduring a nagging foot injury, and Reggie Bush was used as running backs. While neither of the trio made costly errors, they also failed to help the 49ers gain some momentum against the Seahawks.

Hayne, who did not like his benching but accepted it, has already spoken with Tomsula about what he needed to do to get back in action. Hayne also admitted he will keep on working hard and move forward towards his NFL journey.

According to Nick Campton of the Daily Telegraph, Hayne’s long term future in the NFL and the 49ers has put into serious question, considering his lack of involvement on offence and previous errors on punt returns.

“While it would be silly to instantly proclaim this setback the death knell of his NFL career, Hayne may struggle to find the opportunities he’s found at the Niners if he is cut before the end of the season,” Campton wrote. “If Tomsula won’t give him a run, who will?”

Hayne will have a chance to return into Tomsula’s game day lineup when the 49ers visit the St Louis Rams at Edward Jones Dome in Week 8 of NFL.

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