Oh no.
No, no, no, no, no.
Look, it was bound to happen at some point. But on his very first touch of the ball?
Despite a meteoric rise from virtual unknown in the sport to miraculously securing a spot on the San Francisco 49ers active roster – all within the space of a single pre-season – Jarryd Hayne‘s debut game has been… well… not so great.
In fact, in an otherwise completely chaotic game against the Minnesota Vikings thus far, Hayne’s first touch of the football in the NFL could not have gone any worse.
Sent out onto the field in what’s become his customary role as a punt returner, Hayne’s first official play in the league ended horribly with the former Dally M winner completely misjudging the Vikings punt, dropping the ball cold, and having the Vikings recover the fumble in good field position.
ICYMI: Hayne’s 1st touch: loses track of the ball in the air, caught a little deep & it goes right through the arms pic.twitter.com/UBAU7DCjK6
— Laurie Horesh (@LaurieHoresh) September 15, 2015
Oooooooofffff.
Fortunately for Jarryd, all was not lost. The Niners defence managed to stand up and prevent the fumble from turning into points on the board.
Better still, coach Jim Tomsula has been throwing Hayne onto the field on offence, thanks to an ill-timed knock on second string RB Reggie Bush.
A modest seven yard reception showcased Hayne’s almost trademark goosestep and ability to make the first defender miss.
Hayne with the footwork!!!
#HaynePlane #MINvsSF
https://t.co/gwDF5zp9pc
— TAB (@tabcomau) September 15, 2015
A wild first half saw a largely scoreless game broken open with only seconds remaining in the first half.
San Francisco heads into the half-time break leading the Vikings by a single touchdown, 7-0.
Photo: Ezra Shaw via Getty Images.
