NFL News: San Francisco 49ers need to expand Jarryd Hayne's role

The San Francisco 49ers came close to defeating the New York Giants on Monday, but rookie Jarryd Hayne, who played as a reliever for the punt returning job, only had limited chance to make a splash in his young NFL career.

The 49ers has lost four straight games and now falls to 1-4 after bowing down against the Giants on Monday at MetLife Stadium. Despite minimal touches in the 49ers’ 30-27 loss against the Giants, Hayne showed a glimpse of his ability as a running back, coming four yards short from his first NFL career touchdown.

According to Cam Inman, beat writer of the 49ers for the Bay Area News Group, Hayne’s effectiveness at the running back position against New York showed that San Francisco needs to expand the Aussie’s role with the club.

Inman noted in his story on Fox Sports that while Hayne was stopped short of his first NFL touchdown, the 27-year-old rookie did a fantastic job on his 8-yard run, which was followed by a 1-yard gain that set up a touchdown pass on the next play from star quarterback Colin Kaepernick to Anquan Boldin.

“It’s too repetitive to merely say Hayne must keep learning all aspects of the game to get more playing time,” Inman wrote. “But this could be the time where the 49ers expand his role, especially with Bush hurt again.”

Inman also emphasised that Hayne needs a positive week of practice to show team coaches that he is up for whatever role he is given when they face the Baltimore Ravens at Levi’s Stadium.

The 49ers appeared ready to break their three-game losing streak after leading 27-23 with 21 seconds left in the game. However, the Giants stormed back to win 30-27, thanks to quarterback Eli Manning, who led his team to the game-winning touchdown on an eight-play, 82-yard drive, capped off with a pinpoint pass to tight end Larry Donnell in the end zone.

"We're obviously disappointed with the result," 49ers coach Jim Tomsula said, the ABC reports. "Hats off to Eli Manning and the Giants."

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