By Morris Phillips

One guy becomes a household name, another never steps foot on an NFL sideline again. That’s the mixed bag running through the subtext of NFL exhibitions.

For the 49ers on Saturday night, all the ups and downs of attempting to forge a career in the National Football League could be capsulized by two players: Dylan Thompson and Jarryd Hayne.

Hayne, the former Australian rugby player, may not look the part with his upright running style, but he played the part, breaking off a 53-yard run, a pair of positive punt returns, and an imprudent, but ultimately successful kick return.

Thompson, who played under the old ball coach—and former 49ers’ quarterback—Steve Spurrier at South Carolina went undrafted, but was signed by San Francisco and given an a shot at a backup quarterback role.  But Thompson’s first three plays as a professional went horribly wrong: Sack, run for no gain, then another sack for a safety.

Jason Ankrah’s sack of Thompson in the end zone for a safety was the second score for the Texans within a minute, early in the third quarter, as Houston went on to beat the 49ers, 23-10.  The 49ers wanted to take a look at a number of players on the offensive side of the ball, but they were beaten in terms of time of possession worse than they were on the scoreboard.

“Whether it’s a preseason game or whatever, we’re putting helmets on to play and we need to win,” Coach Jim Tomsula said.  “With that being said, we saw a lot of things from a lot of people today.”

The 49ers held the ball for fewer than 20 of the game’s 60 minutes and ran only 40 offensive plays.  Colin Kaepernick’s season debut was short and uneventful.  The established starter finished 1 of 3 for 14 yards.  Kaepernick’s deep ball to new acquisition Torrey Smith breaking free behind two defenders was slightly overthrown.

Blaine Gabbert fared much better, completing 8 of 11 passes for 86 yards and one touchdown.  Gabbert’s 10-yard pass to Garrett Celek went for a touchdown, and allowed the 49ers to trim the Texans lead to 8-7 early in the second quarter.

But when Thompson took over, the 49ers’ offense went quiet.  The 49ers failed to run as many as five plays on any of the five possessions led by Thompson.  San Francisco’s 10-8 halftime lead evaporated in a scoreless, second half.

After the safety, head coach Jim Tomsula made a point to console and encourage Thompson on the sidelines, but the 6’3” quarterback didn’t see things get much better.  Twice after brief 49ers’ possessions under Thompson, the Texans ran double-digit plays but settled for a pair of 41-yard Reggie Bullock field goals.

J.J. Watt, the 2014 Defensive Player of the Year; 2014 first overall pick Jadaveon Clowney and off-season acquisition Vince Wolfork formerly of the Patriots all sat out for Houston, making the 49ers’ offensive struggles even more troubling.

For the 49ers, NaVorro Bowman, Vernon Davis and Darnell Dockett all sat out for precautionary reasons.  Bowman is expected to be a full participant in practice on Monday for the first time as he continues his recovery from the compound fracture he suffered in the NFC Championship game in January 2014.

Hayne was signed as a free agent in the off-season after a decorated rugby career in Australia.  Reggie Bush is listed as the team’s top kick and punt returner, and ahead of Hayne on the depth chart at running back, so when the former disgraced Heisman winner was also held out Saturday that provided an opportunity for Hayne.

And the 27-year old rookie delivered.  On Hayne’s long run, he broke through on a sweep play, hit the hole with steam, and did a nifty change of direction that left Texans’ safety Rahim Moore grasping.  On the kickoff return, Hayne took the ball from eight yards deep, ran up the sideline and broke a tackle that again, allowed him to change direction and get out to the 26-yard line.  On both plays, Hayne showed that NFL defenders will have to be ready for his 6’2” height, high running style and narrow, but shifty hips.  Did we mention the powerful straight arm Hayne displayed to create space from tacklers?

“I expected him to be very comfortable in space,” Tomsula said.  “I’ve watched a lot of film of him, and I’ve watched the physicality of his play in rugby.  He never missed a beat when he put on shoulder pads.”

The defensive line spearheaded a pair of impressive, goal line stands in the first half that kept the Texans from scoring either time.  But on Cecil Shorts 53-yard catch for the game’s first score, safety Antoine Bethea and corner Dontae Johnson were caught arm-tackling with no success.

Next Sunday evening, the 49ers open the home schedule with the Dallas Cowboys at 5pm.