Snap count: Hayne goes from practice squad to 49ers featured back

Share

In one day, Jarryd Hayne went from the 49ers’ practice squad to their most-worked running back Sunday against the Detroit Lions.

Hayne got the surprise start -- just 90 minutes after the team announced either Kendall Gaskins or DuJuan Harris would get the assignment to replace Shaun Draughn in the lineup.

Hayne ended up playing 35 snaps. Harris saw action on 15 plays, while Gaskins was on the field for nine offensive snaps.

“I wasn’t expecting it, but I was hoping for it,” Hayne said following the 49ers’ 32-17 loss to the Lions.

“I was definitely hoping to get out there and get the ball in my hands and definitely be a big part of the game, which I think all the running backs (played) a really good share of the game. I think it was great for us to get out there.”

Hayne rushed for 27 yards on nine attempts. He also caught five passes for 20 yards.

Harris got off to a strong start with 74 yards rushing in the first half, but had minus-1 yard on two attempts in the second half. The 49ers signed Harris off the Baltimore Ravens’ practice squad five days before the game, so when the 49ers went heavy on the passing game in the second half, Harris was left on the sideline because of his unfamiliarity with the team’s pass protections.

San Francisco 49ers

Find the latest San Francisco 49ers news, highlights, analysis and more with NBC Sports Bay Area and California.

Complete list of 329 players headed to 2025 NFL Scouting Combine

Why Barnwell believes 49ers are unlikely Garrett trade suitor

[RELATED: Harris, Hayne start strong but get few touches in second half]

When asked how many plays he knew, Harris answered, “I knew a handful. I knew most of everything that was going in. It’s just that I don’t have more experience than the other guys.”

Harris became the ninth halfback to play for the 49ers this season, following Carlos Hyde, Reggie Bush, Mike Davis, Hayne, Draughn, Gaskins, Pierre Thomas and Travaris Cadet.

Rookie Trent Brown made his first NFL start at right tackle. Brown was the 49ers’ lowest-rated offensive player, according to Pro Football Focus, after surrendering three quarterback pressures.

On defense, Dontae Johnson started at right cornerback instead of Kenneth Acker, who started the first 13 games in which he appeared this season.

Safeties Jaquiski Tartt and Eric Reid, and linebacker NaVorro Bowman played every snap. Tartt and Reid had three missed tackles apiece, according to PFF, while Bowman missed two tackles.

Here’s a complete rundown of the 49ers’ play time on offense, defense and special teams:

Offense
(62 snaps)
62 -- LT Joe Staley, LG Andrew Tiller, C Daniel Kilgore, RG Eric Pears, RT Trent Brown, QB Blaine Gabbert
57 -- WR Anquan Boldin
54 -- WR Torrey Smith
46 -- TE Vance McDonald
44 -- TE Blake Bell
35 -- RB Jarryd Hayne
23 -- WR Quinton Patton
15 -- RB DuJuan Harris
14 -- FB Bruce Miller
12 -- WR Bruce Ellington
9 -- RB Kendall Gaskins
1 -- TE Brian Leonhardt

Defense
(71 snaps)
71 -- FS Eric Reid, SS Jaquiski Tartt, LB NaVorro Bowman
70 -- CB Dontae Johnson
68 -- CB Tramaine Brock
60 -- LB Gerald Hodges
55 -- DB Jimmie Ward
54 -- LB Aaron Lynch
49 -- LB Ahmad Brooks
45 -- NT Ian Williams
37 -- DL Mike Purcell
30 -- DL Quinton Dial
25 -- DL Tony Jerod-Eddie
22 -- DL Arik Armstead, LB Eli Harold
17 -- DL Cornelius Carradine
11 -- CB Kenneth Acker
3 -- CB Marcus Cromartie

Special teams
24 -- Nick Bellore
19 -- Shayne Skov
18 -- Ray-Ray Armstrong, Gaskins
17 -- Ward, Miller
16 -- Johnson
15 -- Patton
14 -- Armstead, Cromartie
12 -- Jerod-Eddie
11 -- Bradley Pinion, Ellington
9 -- Dial, Acker
8 -- Hodges, Harold
7 -- Kyle Nelson, Reid
6 -- Tartt, Brock, Williams, Purcell
5 -- Lynch
4 -- Phil Dawson, Jordan Devey, Pears, Staley, Tiller, McDonald

Did not play -- QB Dylan Thompson, WR DeAndrew White, CB Keith Reaser, OL Ian Silberman

Not active -- WR Jerome Simpson, RB Shaun Draughn (knee), CB Chris Davis, LB Michael Wilhoite (ankle), G Brandon Thomas, C Marcus Martin (concussion), LB Corey Lemonier

 

Contact Us