A QUARTER of Jarryd Hayne’s debut NFL season is already in the books.

After the crazy highs of the preseason, Hayne’s performances have become more what you’d expect from a punt returner on a San Francisco team that has struggled to a 1-3 record.

He’s produced one memorable highlight, made an error or two but largely been prevented from ripping off the big plays we saw with regularity during the trial games. But it’s no surprise. This is the NFL. Teams don’t just hand out opportunities for dangerous opposition players to wreak havoc.

Perhaps the most frustrating trend across the opening four games has been Hayne’s decreased role in the 49ers offence. His offensive snap count has dropped each week — from 10 in a week one win against Minnesota to none in Monday’s 17-3 defeat against the Packers.

But let’s continue to celebrate this for what it is. An Aussie rugby league star who had never played American football before is the starting punt returner for an NFL team. He has one of the highest selling jerseys in the league. Magic freaking Johnson knows who he is. This is an unabated success story.

WEEK ONE — SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS 20 MINNESOTA VIKINGS 3

media_camera Hayne makes a move in the open field against Minnesota.

Snap count: Offence — 10, Special Teams — 3

Statistics: Four rushing attempts for 13 yards, 1 catch for 7 yards, 1 punt return for no gain, 1 lost fumble

Highlight: Hayne picked up the maiden first down of his NFL career in the first quarter but his longest play from scrimmage was a nine-yard run in the third.

Lowlight: The lowlight of Hayne’s season to this point came on the very first punt return of his career. Australia held its collective breath as he stood at midfield to field a punt and then gasped in anguish as it slipped through his fingers.

Comment: Tough start for Hayne but he received a vote of confidence from the 49ers coaching staff when they kept him in at punt returner despite his horror start.

Quote: “There’s a bit of wind in the stadium tonight but that is an inexcusable mistake for Jarryd Hayne.” — ESPN commentator Trent Dilfer on Hayne’s dropped punt.

WEEK TWO — PITTSBURGH STEELERS 43 SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS 18

media_camera Hayne receives a hand-off from quarterback Colin Kaepernick against Pittsburgh.

Snap count: Offence — 4, Special Teams — 2

Statistics: Two carries for 3 yards, 1 punt return for 7 yards

Highlight: Hayne had limited opportunities to shine in the return game because the Steelers offence was so dominant. He did pick up a first down at running back on second and one in the first quarter.

Lowlight: Seeing Mike Davis handed back-up running back duties when Carlos Hyde left the game to be tested for concussion in the second half.

Comment: Early hopes Hayne’s meteoric rise would see him feature regularly in the 49ers offence were put aside on a tough day in Pittsburgh. This was also the first sign of how the 49ers’ struggles would limit his ability to make plays in the return game.

Quote: “Obviously that one feels a bit different, and disappointed with the loss.” — Jarryd Hayne.

WEEK THREE — ARIZONA CARDINALS 47 SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS 7

media_camera Hayne’s 37-yard return against Arizona is his longest of the season.

Snap count: Offence — 2, Special Teams — 4

Statistics: One punt return for 37 yards

Highlight: Hayne’s 37-yard punt return that set up a Colin Kaepernick touchdown wasn’t just his best moment of the game, it was his entire team’s.

Lowlight: The Aussie fell victim to a perfectly executed punt by the Cardinals special teams in the third quarter. Pinned inside his own half, Hayne chose not to catch a punt in the hope it would bounce into the endzone, but a Cardinals player managed to catch the ball in play and down it at the San Francisco one-yard line.

Comment: For the first time in his career Hayne didn’t make a play on offence but it mattered little as Australia celebrated the first big play of his career.

Quote: “Jarryd continues to get better every week, he does. He works his tail off.” — San Francisco coach Jim Tomsula.

WEEK FOUR — GREEN BAY PACKERS 17 SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS 3

media_camera Hayne returns a punt against the Packers.

Snap count: Offence — 0, Special Teams — 7

Statistics: Three punt returns for 12 yards

Highlight: Probably his opening punt return of the game where he neatly gathered a bouncing ball and ran for six yards.

Lowlight: Hayne endured the second fumble of his NFL career when he was knocked over by a mass of bodies while attempting to catch a punt. Fortunately this one was recovered by a 49ers teammate.

Comment: Hayne didn’t play one snap on offence and was prevented from making any plays in the return game by Packers punter Tim Masthay.

Quote: “Obviously it was a late read. I was actually going to poison it and let it go but I thought it might hit one of our guys so I went for it and threw my body in there. I was obviously hoping to catch it but I think one of their gunners made a good play, nudged one of our boys into me and knocked me off balance.” — Jarryd Hayne on his fumble.

Originally published as Hayne’s first quarter report card