NFL Week 7 49ers vs Seahawks preview, TV schedule, match time, odds: Jarryd Hayne could be ‘highlighted player,’ says Pete Caroll
San Francisco 49ers rookie Jarryd Hayne could find himself in another limited role when the club takes on the Seattle Seahawks in Week 7 of the 2015-2016 NFL season. Hayne is set for another backup role as running back and punt returner, but Seahawks coach Pete Caroll believes the Australian rugby league could be used in a different role ahead of their crucial clash at Levi’s Stadium.
Caroll, who is also considered unconventional and willing to experiment his lineup, believes Hayne could be a “highlighted player” if the Aussie is suiting up for the Seahawks. Caroll revealed that Hayne could be used in other positions rather than playing as punt return and back-up running back, although the Seahawks coach did not specify the big plans he had for the Australian sensation.
"I thought it was an exciting prospect to get him in here," Carroll said, the Sydney Morning Herald reports. "We talked to him about visiting and all that and so it's really cool to see that he's playing and contributing and is a factor in the game.”
Hayne has long confessed that he chose the 49ers because of Jim Tomsula’s background in NFL Europe, where he converted athletes into American footballers. However, the former Eel appears to be set for more time on the bench with the team working out veteran RB Pierre Thomas as backup for Carlos Hyde.
Sports Illustrated ’s Peter King describes the 49ers’ Hayne experiment as a story that was “fun while it lasted.” King was critical of Hayne failing to read a blitz pick-up defence when playing as RB, which in the 49ers’ last game, resulted in star quarterback Colin Kaepernick being sacked.
“For the second time in the first six weeks of the season, Hayne fumbled a punt, and the 49ers are not good enough to hand away potential possessions once every three games because they like the former Australian Rugby League player’s potential,” King wrote. “It’ll be interesting to see how coach Jim Tomsula handles the punt-return job going forward; Hayne stayed in the role after fumbling early against the Ravens.”
In the 49ers’ 25-20 win over the Baltimore Ravens on Monday, Hayne was once again in limited action and struggled to make an impact for San Francisco. The 27-year-old rookie did not get any touch after being fielded for the 49ers’ offence and fumbled a punt return after being tackled from behind by opponents. It was the second time Hayne had lost possession of the ball in the first six weeks of the NFL season.
The 49ers will have a chance to keep their playoff hopes alive when they face the Seahawks on Friday, with both teams carrying a record of two wins and four losses.
TV schedule, match time
San Francisco 49ers vs Seattle Seahawks will be broadcast live on ESPN and ESPN HD, Channel 508 on Foxtel. Match will start at 11:25 a.m. AEDT on Oct. 23, Friday.
Latest odds (courtesy of Sky Bet )
San Francisco 49ers win: 5/2
Seattle Seahawks win: 1/3
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