Head coach Jim Tomsula said the 49ers didn’t replace Jarryd Hayne as a punt returner Monday night because he muffed the first punt he attempted to field and the Vikings recovered the loose ball in the first quarter.
Rather, Tomsula said the Hayne was replaced by Bruce Ellington in the second quarter because of the injury to running back Reggie Bush. That is, Bush’s calf strain left Carlos Hyde and Hayne as the only running backs available.
“Yes, yes it did,” Tomsula said when asked if Bush’s injury impacted the decision.