For 2 games, Hayne hasn’t been a hit

One of the 49ers’ biggest stories of the summer is now on the back pages. Remember Jarryd Hayne? OK, the former Australian rugby-league player hasn’t really been forgotten, but in two regular-season games, he has yet to flash the big-play ability he displayed in the preseason.

The totals: 16 yards on six carries, a muffed punt in Week 1 and a 7-yard punt return in which he slipped in Sunday’s 43-18 loss to the Steelers.

At Pittsburgh, for the second straight game, Hayne didn’t finish as the punt returner.

After his 7-yard return, he was replaced by rookie DeAndrew White, who had a 4yard runback on his lone attempt.

Why White? Special-teams coach Thomas McGaughey noted White averaged a teambest 22.8 yards on four returns in the preseason (Hayne averaged 18.1 yards on nine returns).

“I think (White) earned that right to be out there on the field,” McGaughey said.

In Week 1, Hayne was replaced by Bruce Ellington in the second half of a win over the Vikings. Ellington was sidelined Sunday with an ankle injury. Dazzling debut: Arizona rookie running back David Johnson, a third-round pick from Northern Iowa, has needed just eight quarters to make history: Johnson is the first player to collect a rushing, receiving and kickoff-return touchdown in his first two games.

“Anytime you can do something that’s the first time in the history of the game, that’s very special,” Arizona head coach Bruce Arians said. “He’s maximized his opportunities and maybe we want to give him a few more opportunities. He’s a big. active guy.”

Indeed, Johnson (6-foot-1, 224 pounds) has done a lot with a little, collecting 251 allpurpose yards and three touchdowns on nine touches.

In a 31-19 season-opening win against the Saints, he didn’t have a carry, but had a 43-yard kickoff return and a game-sealing 55-yard touchdown catch.

On Sunday, in a 48-23 win at Chicago, he had a game-opening 108-yard kickoff return and his five-carry, 42-yard performance included a 13-yard touchdown run.

Johnson could receive more time in the backfield Sunday against the 49ers. Andre Ellington (knee) won’t play and Chris Johnson will remain the starter in his absence. Arians said Johnson is being brought along slowly because he was sidelined for much of the summer with a hamstring injury. Arians indicated Johnson has had limited offensive snaps because he hasn’t been ready to pick up blitzes in the passing game. Injury report: Running back Reggie Bush (calf ) remained sidelined after he didn’t practice or play against the Steelers.

Bruce Ellington and tight end Vance McDonald (knee) were limited in practice; running back Carlos Hyde (quadriceps) and wide receiver Torrey Smith (knee) were full participants and inside linebacker NaVorro Bowman was given the day off.