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Jarryd Hayne muffs first NFL punt return

By Cody Williams

September 3, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers running back Jarryd Hayne (38) runs with the football during the fourth quarter in a preseason game against the San Diego Chargers at Levi
September 3, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers running back Jarryd Hayne (38) runs with the football during the fourth quarter in a preseason game against the San Diego Chargers at Levi /
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49ers sensation Jarryd Hayne couldn’t quite get a hold of his first NFL punt return

Jarryd Hayne stole the show in the NFL preseason, eventually making the final cut and the San Francisco 49ers 53-man roster. For the former rugby player, this was a feel-good story that seemed like it could only get better going forward. Of course, that was all before he tried to field his first punt in an actual NFL game.

On Monday Night Football against the Minnesota Vikings, Hayne got the start as the 49ers punt returner and awaiting the Vikes’ first punt of the night late in the first quarter. The wires apparently got crossed for Hayne, though, as he muffed the catch and allowed the Vikings to recover the live ball:

Here are some of the reactions from around Twitter, the land of incredibly hot takes:

Hayne’s talent as a returner is largely what gained him his fame during the preseason, but you have to catch the ball before you do anything spectacular with it. This was certainly a less than stellar way to start your NFL career if you’re Hayne.

If you’re rooting for the feel-good story, perhaps Hayne will pull it together and his muffed catch won’t be his one moment in the NFL. As of now, though, his NFL career isn’t off to the best of starts.

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