PITTSBURGH – Another week, another learning experience for Jarryd Hayne.
In the buildup to Sunday's Week 2 contest versus the Pittsburgh Steelers, it appeared as if the Australian import would be featured more often in the San Francisco 49ers gameplan.
With Reggie Bush and Bruce Ellington inactive, Hayne was in line to get more touches in both the run and return game.
But as the game played out, neither of those projections came to fruition. With the 49ers surrendering six touchdowns in the 43-18 loss, Pittsburgh rarely punted and San Francisco was forced to play catch-up by throwing the ball 46 times.
"That's football," Hayne said postgame. "We faced a great Steelers defense today. It's something we're going to learn from."
Hayne finished his afternoon rushing two times for three yards and returning one punt for seven yards.
"For me, I wish I could've done better. And I'm sure it's same for the team," Hayne said. "Like I keep saying, every week I just want to keep getting better and better and learn."
One of Hayne's carries went for a first down while his sole punt return came against a countryman, Steelers punter Jordan Berry. The play marked the first time one Australian kicked to another in a regular season NFL game. Hayne looked to have some running room on the punt but was tripped up before he could break into open space.
Hayne did not record a carry in the second half of Sunday's game.
"Obviously we had a couple of scores on us there," Jim Tomsula said. "And the run game had to get turned down a little bit."
