San Francisco 49ers American football coach Jim Tomsula has pointed to Jarryd Hayne's growth as an NFL player, as one of the highlights of the team's largely dismal season.
Running back Jarryd Hayne, #38 in his time with the San Francisco 49ers Photo: AFP
Tomsula has offered mixed reviews on the rugby league convert throughout 2015, including axing Hayne on October the 31st before signing him to their practice squad two days later.
In the past few days, the coach and the club's offensive co-ordinator, Geep Chryst, have been openly critical of mistakes Hayne made as the starting running back in Sunday's loss against the Detroit Lions.
But when Tomsula was asked today to identify any 49er players he didn't think received the recognition they deserved, chose Hayne as one of his examples.
"We were all excited about Jarryd the other day," Tomsula said.
"You saw stuff that he has been working on in practice that [running back coach Tom Rathman] has had him doing and you saw that show up on game day, which it wasn't before."
The 49ers have a disappointing four-win, 11-loss season record and were ruled out of the playoffs weeks ago.
Jarryd Hayne is expected to play the St Louis Rams in their season finale at the 49ers' Levi's Stadium on Monday morning.
- Reuters