Tayler Hawkins comes off practice squad to record first career interception

Tayler Hawkins might be a virtual unknown to most 49ers fans, but he's made the most of his first start in the Week 18 game against the Rams.

With both the San Francisco 49ers and Los Angeles Rams resting players in their Week 18 finale, you would be forgiven for thinking that both teams would be treating this as a preseason game.

And while plenty of starters are missing this game and some players that wouldn't normally start are getting plenty of snaps, that just means that those players will be giving their all.

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Safety Tayler Hawkins is one such player.

Not having played this season, Tayler Hawkins made the most of being pressed into service and his first NFL start with a diving interception to give the 49ers a big advantage in the second quarter:

Hawkins quite understandably was very excited, given his lack of playing time and his constant movement between the roster and the practice squad. This game might not mean anything in the grand scheme of things for San Francisco this season, but it certainly meant something to Hawkins as he celebrated on the sidelines.

Most notably, he refused to let go of the ball with what can be best described as a death grip.

The 49ers currently enjoy a 20-7 lead at the half, looking to continue some momentum by having their depth pieces lead them to victory but mostly just hoping that no bad injuries occur before the playoffs.

All eyes forward will be on the Niners as they traverse the playoffs as the No. 1 seed in the NFC, but this throwaway game will nonetheless be an important one in the career of Hawkins.