JARRYD Hayne says he is devastated he fumbled his first punt of the game in the 49ers win over Baltimore today.

It was supposed to be Hayne’s big day, but it ended up being the 49ers rookie’s biggest lesson yet.

The Aussie running back had a sobering day at the office, despite the 49ers winning their second game this season to jump start their 2015 campaign.

Hayne said his first quarter fluff is another lesson he needed to learn about the importance of protecting the ball.

“I was obviously devastated with the fumble,” Hayne said.

“We always talk about how the most dangerous man is the man you don’t see.

“I felt like I was clear and I went for that bit extra. I knew if I beat that one guy and the guy wasn’t behind me, it was just me and the punter and the boys were there.

“We’re always talking about making plays on special teams. It’s just one of those things I need to learn from. The most important thing is protecting the ball.”

Quarterback Colin Kaepernick re-discovered his mojo to earn man of the match with 340 pass-yards and no interceptions in regular play.

However, it wasn’t such good news day for Hayne.

Back in the win column like pic.twitter.com/qSnLYI1KWW — San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) October 18, 2015

With star running back Reggie Bush ruled out before the game with a calf injury and kick-return specialist Bruce Ellington also inactive with a calf complaint, Hayne was expected to see major game time, but he was largely unsighted after an ugly start to the match.

Hayne coughed up the ball with his third fumble of the season with his first punt return of the game.

It was his only carry of the match as coach Jim Tomsula refused to use the Aussie at running back.

He finished with stats of one punt return for a four yard gain with one fair catch and another punt he left untouched.

It was a day of mistakes for the Aussie. Here are his three biggest blunders.

1. HAYNE FUMBLES PUNT

JARRYD Hayne’s day got off to a nightmare start when he made his third fumble from six games in the NFL.

It was the only time Hayne got to run the ball against the Ravens.

Hayne marked the punt close to the sideline on his own 30-yard line and danced his way through a crowd into the middle of the field for a five yard gain before he was heavily tackled from behind.

Hayne dropped the ball backwards in the crunching tackle and it would have been a disaster for San Francisco if cornerback Dontae Johnson wasn’t able to dive on the loose ball.

It was a bad start for the Aussie and the reaction on social media was not forgiving.

Jarryd Hayne beats a heap of blokes on first punt return... but Fumbles the ball... he fumbled the ball... lucky his teammate fell on it. — Brenton Speed (@BrentonSpeed) October 18, 2015

Jarryd Hayne sponsored by Butter Fingers — Mitchell Gardner (@GWade92) October 18, 2015

Jarryd Hayne is trash lol. I don't know why there's so much hype about him. — Max Merry (@maxxuhmillion) October 18, 2015

That @dkurtenbach is a shocker - "So Jarryd Hayne can’t run from scrimmage and now he’s a liability in the punt return game……. 🇦🇺" — Matthew Murphy (@TheMurphstar) October 18, 2015

2. HAYNE CONFUSES FAIR CATCH

JARRYD Hayne’s second blunder again came with the 27-year-old at punt-returner.

With the clock winding down at the end of the first half, Hayne fielded a difficult punt on his own seven-yard line after scrambling towards the sideline to make the catch.

The former NRL star called a fair catch early, but was still put under pressure by the Ravens’ special teams defence.

The decision to call a fair catch was also heavily criticised with one American NFL expert summarising the 49ers performance by saying: “Kaepernick up, Hayne down”.

“The Australian rugby league convert fumbled his first punt return, though the 49ers somehow recovered despite there being a sea of Ravens players around the ball, and Hayne later made a fair catch of another punt inside the 49ers’ 10-yard line,” ESPN staff writer Paul Guterrez said. “That’s a no-no.”

Jarryd Hayne calls for the fair catch and the #49ers will have one more drive before half. 1st & 10 from the 8 w/ :40 remaining. #BALvsSF — San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) October 18, 2015

3. HAYNE MISSES BLOCK

ROOKIE Jarryd Hayne got some meaningful game time on the field in the second half on the San Francisco offensive team, but never got to touch the ball.

Hayne stepped in to give star running back Carlos Hyde a breather, but quarterback Colin Kaepernick ignored Hayne to focus on his passing game.

Hayne was then expected to provide some protection coverage for Kaepernick, but made one bad miss and was quickly taken off the field.

While Hyde was on the sideline struggling with his foot injury, Hayne missed a block on

a Ravens linebacker, which led to Kaepernick getting sacked.

Feel the breeze... Jarryd Hayne coming up empty in his blitz pickup assignment here. Sacked lunch, num num num num https://t.co/aOZqxkGFFZ — Laurie Horesh (@LaurieHoresh) October 18, 2015

Much better pass protection from Jarryd Hayne on this play. https://t.co/RZpIwpAWh8 — Woot and Wye NFL (@WootandWye) October 18, 2015

Colin Kaepenrick sacked on third down when Jarryd Hayne failed to pick up blitzing linebacker Daryl Smith — Cam Inman (@CamInman) October 18, 2015

Jarryd Hayne in at tailback to start this drive. Hyde standing on the sideline seemingly ready to go in. — Matt Barrows (@mattbarrows) October 18, 2015

Much better pass protection from Jarryd Hayne on this play. https://t.co/RZpIwpAWh8 — Woot and Wye NFL (@WootandWye) October 18, 2015

It explains why Tomsula was so reluctant to use Hayne at running back.

Hyde ran 21 of the 22 rushing plays dished off to a running back with Mike Davis handed one snap in the fourth quarter ahead of Hayne. Davis’ run did not gain any yardage.

Despite Hyde carrying a foot injury, Tomsula continued to call on him ahead of Hayne and Davis.

Hyde finished with 21 runs for 55 yards and a longest gain of 14 yards.

Tomsula said he has noticed his team improving this season.

“We’re measured by the wins and losses columns,” he said.

“Getting one in the left column is important for us.

“The guys come to work every day. I see them getting better every day. This is a good team. It’s a good group of guys willing to work.

“Every time you win it’s a very good thing.”

Tomsula confirmed Hyde aggravated his foot injury during the match, but does not believe it is a serious concern.

“Carlos, the foot got a little sore there,” he said.

“It’s no secret. We just tried to take it easy on him there and give the other guys some reps. We’ll just continue to stay on top of that.”

Hyde said he is hopeful of playing against 49ers divisional rivals Seattle next week.

“I just tried to put too much pressure on it. Too much weight on it,” he said.

“It hurts when I put too much weight on it.

“It just shocked me. How much it hurt when I tried to put too much weight on it. So I just went down.”

Hyde said he will “definitely be ready” to play the Seahawks on Friday morning AEDT, but admitted he finds it difficult to step off his injured leg.

Here’s how Hayne’s tough day played out.

FIRST QUARTER

WITH Bruce Ellington inactive with a calf injury Aussie Jarryd Hayne was expected to be promoted to kick return duties, however the first kick-off of the game featured 49ers returner DeAndrew White stepping in for Ellington with Hayne on the sidelines.

White took a touchback to let the Niners’ attack start their first drive from the 20-yard line.

Hayne stepped onto field for the first Ravens’ punt of the game after the Niners’ defence stopped Baltimore inside their own half.

Hayne marked the punt close to the sideline on his own 30-yard line and danced his way through a crowd into the middle of the field for a five yard gain before he was heavily tackled from behind.

Hayne dropped the ball in the crunching tackle and it would have been a disaster for San Francisco if cornerback Dontae Johnson wasn’t able to dive on the loose ball.

Hayne wasn’t dropped when the Ravens were next forced to punt with five minutes left in the first quarter.

The kick bounced along the turf towards the sideline and stopped 14 yards out from the Niners’ defensive endzone with Hayne not given a chance to run the ball back.

Hayne also stepped into the game as a receiving option on the 49ers next drive.

He lined up on quarterback Colin Kaepernick’s left, but wasn’t used as Kaepernick instead passed to Anquan Boldin on the right side.

The Niners made back to back drives which ended in field goal opportunities for kicker Phil Dawson, who converted both goals to give San Francisco an early lead. 49ers 6-0.

SECOND QUARTER

BALTIMORE came close to scoring with their next drive, but were forced to take a field goal at fourth and goal early in the second quarter. 49ers 6-3.

Hayne was again overlooked at kick return in favour of DeAndrew White.

On the next drive Colin Kaepernick threw a monster downfield pass to receiver Torrey Smith who ran into the endzone untouched for a huge 76-yard touchdown play. 49ers 13-3.

The Ravens were also forced to settle for three points on their next drive when Kaepernick was almost picked off, trying to convert on third down. Dawson again slotted the goal to extend the Niners’ lead. 49ers 16-3.

Hayne took a fair catch on the final punt of the half. He stepped in for three punts in the first half, but only made one carry for a four yard gain and one fumble.

Jarryd Hayne calls for the fair catch and the #49ers will have one more drive before half. 1st & 10 from the 8 w/ :40 remaining. #BALvsSF — San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) October 18, 2015

At half time primary running back Carlos Hyde had 12 carries for 48 yards as well as two receives for five yards.

Both Hayne and Mike Davis were not used at running back for the Niners’ in the first half with Hyde and Kaepernick the only Niners to make a rushing play.

Coach Jim Tomsula said he was happy with the half time score, but concerned about his team’s failure to convert touchdowns in the Ravens’ redzone.

“We’ve got to find more success in the redzone,” Tomsula said.

“We appreciate field goals, but we need seven (points). So we’ve got to punch it out.”

Halftime, 49ers 16-6.

THIRD QUARTER

KEY 49ers running back Carlos Hyde went down injured in his first run of the second half.

Trying to cut through the Ravens’ defence, Hyde fell down with an apparent ankle injury, however the Niners’ star did carry a foot injury into the game.

San Francisco took an injury time-out.

Hayne immediately stepped in for perhaps the biggest shot of his NFL career with the Niners’ just 40 yards from the endzone.

Hayne was in the game for two plays while Hyde received treatment, however Kaepernick threw the ball on both plays before Hyde returned and replaced the Aussie.

Jarryd Hayne may score a Touchdown here... Prepare for Australian tweets. — Chadwiko Menendez (@ChadwikoRCC) October 18, 2015

The Niners again fell short converting a first down in the redzone and were again forced to settle for three points from a field goal at the end of the drive. 49ers 19-6.

The Ravens hit back when quarterback Joe Flacco launched a sensational pass deep in the endzone to Steve Smith. The 34-yard touchdown play got the visitors back in the game. 49ers 19-13.

DeAndrew White stepped into the game as kick-returner again, but the kick sailed over the endzone to give San Francisco a re-start on the 20-yard line.

Hayne stepped into the game at running back for a series of downs in the third quarter but did not get given the ball with the 49ers instead relying on Kaepernick to make a series of passes.

Hyde was on the sideline and appears to be struggling with his foot injury.

Hayne did have to provide protection for Kaepernick on a number of plays and he missed a block on a Ravens linebacker in the lead up to the Niners’ quarterback getting sacked.

Hyde returned to the game straight after the miss.

FOURTH QUARTER

SAN Francisco extended their lead when Kaepernick found receiver Quinton Patton wide open in the endzone.

However, the 49ers failed to convert a two-point play attempt.

Kaepernick was forced to pass under pressure and was picked off. 49ers 25-13.

The Ravens hit back again when Flacco ran wide and found Kamar Aiken in the endzone with a 20-yard pass. It was a huge conversion with the game slipping away from the visitors at fourth and goal.

The score made it a one possession game. 49ers 25-20.

Hayne was given a run at kick-returner for the first time in the NFL, but the kick sailed long.

Mike Davis stepped into the game to give Hyde a break, relegating Hayne to the pine.

Davis’ run took the game to the two-minute warning with the 49ers only needing to hold onto the ball for their second win of the season.

The Ravens launched one final drive to try and steal the game with Flacco moving the chains to the 41-yard line with 13 seconds remaining.

Flacco’s hail-Mary final throw into the endzone was knocked away by safety Eric Reid to give the 49ers a big win.

Full time 49ers 25-20.

PRE-MATCH

JARRYD Hayne was the big winner when the 49ers announced their injury list earlier this morning with star running back Reggie Bush (calf) and kick-return specialist Bruce Ellington (calf) both ruled inactive.

With No. 1 running back Carlos Hyde also nursing a foot injury that saw him rested from some practice sessions this week, Hayne is in a dogfight with fellow running back Mike Davis to be given the promotion to be the primary back-up running back.

Hayne featured at running back in the 49ers 30-27 loss to New York Giants last week, making nine yards from the two snaps he was given, including a first-down conversion.

Here’s what the 49ers’ official website had to say about Hayne’s likely promotion for today’s clash with the Ravens.

“Carlos Hyde is dealing with a foot injury, but it doesn’t appear that his status is in doubt against the Ravens,” 49ers team reporter Joe Fann wrote for 49ers.com.

“Reggie Bush, however, could miss the game with the calf strain that’s hampered him throughout the early part of the season.

“That means the backup running back duties will be given to either Jarryd Hayne or Mike Davis.

“Hayne logged the biggest run of his young career in New York on a 3rd-and-1 play in the red zone to pick up eight yards and a first down.

“Davis has been inactive the past two games with Bush back in the lineup.”

Bush and Ellington were both ruled out on the morning of the game, however, Davis was called into the active roster and is also expected to see some significant game time as one of Hyde’s back-up options.