PRO FOOTBALL: 49ERS 34, RAMS 19 : Henley Returns, but Isn’t a Factor : Football: Cornerback is beaten seven times by 49er receivers.

Cornerback Darryl Henley did his best to put his legal problems behind him for a while Sunday and start anew--as a starter in the Rams’ secondary for the first time in nearly a year.

But his triumphant return lacked something--a triumph.

Henley, facing a Jan. 10 trial on federal drug-trafficking charges, couldn’t stop wide receiver John Taylor in the 49ers’ 34-19 victory over the Rams at Anaheim Stadium.

Starting at right cornerback in place of an injured Steve Israel, Henley was beaten seven times for 112 yards in catches by 49er receivers, including six catches and a three-yard touchdown reception by Taylor.

“No one can really understand how much pressure I’ve been under,” said Henley, who must come up with $40,000 in bail money this week.

“You can write about it, but you really don’t understand. I’ve been given the opportunity that I have wanted, but it’s still not easy because of the other stuff (legal problems).

“But I would much rather be here than at home watching this on TV. I just deal with all this and put it all behind me.”

This was Henley’s first start since Oct. 3, when the Rams lost to New Orleans, 37-6, at Anaheim Stadium. The next week, the team gave him a leave of absence when it was learned he was under investigation for his alleged role in a cocaine distribution ring.

After playing sparingly in the first two games of the season, Henley tried to help a Ram secondary that has been blistered two consecutive weeks.

Atlanta’s Jeff George completed 29 of 38 passes against the Rams last week, and 49er quarterback Steve Young was 31 of 39 Sunday. George threw for 287 yards and three touchdowns, Young for 355 yards and two touchdowns.

Henley, a six-year pro and a regular since 1991, said he wasn’t surprised when coaches told him late in the week that he would start against the 49ers.

He got the majority of work in practice last week in place of Israel, who was out because of tendinitis in his knee.

Henley rated his performance Sunday “a little above average.” He finished fourth on the team in tackles with five.

“This was against the best,” Henley said. “I know I can play a lot better.”

Chasing Taylor around the field Sunday afternoon brought back memories for Henley. He said he made his first NFL start in 1989 against the 49ers, and his first assignment was to cover Taylor.

“Coming back to this situation--my first game last week in Atlanta and starting this week--there’s a lot of deja vu-type stuff,” he said.

Henley also is one of only a handful of current Rams who beat the 49ers, 28-17, at San Francisco in 1990. The Rams haven’t beaten San Francisco in Anaheim Stadium since 1986, and the 49ers have won the past eight meetings.

“Coming in at halftime I knew we had a legitimate chance at beating these guys,” Henley said, “but (we) would have to play like we did the first half.”

They didn’t.

With the score tied, 10-10, late in the second quarter, the 49ers needed only one minute 30 seconds and eight plays to drive 77 yards. Young scored on a one-yard sneak as time expired, and San Francisco had a 17-10 halftime lead--and the momentum starting the second half.

“That’s a time when our defense needs to step up and say, ‘No, the most you’re going to get there is a field goal,” free safety Anthony Newman said.

“You have to play four quarters of flawless football against these guys. They played four quarters against us and we played maybe two or 2 1/2 quarters. You have to come early and stay late against them. We tried to leave early. You have to have some overtime in there to get a victory.”

Henley agreed.

“We didn’t get things done in the third quarter like we wanted to,” he said. “When these guys score, you have to match them. We kind of fell behind on that in the second half and got off track.”

Despite the loss, Henley was glad to be back in the starting lineup. He said fans were supportive as he left the field Sunday.

“I heard (them say), ‘We’re glad you’re back,’ ” Henley said. “But it has been like that from the beginning.

“I haven’t heard anything (bad), and that really doesn’t concern me so much as it does trying to come out and win games.”

Was Henley nervous?

“Very much so,” he said. “I was glad I could overcome that and settle in, but it took me about one series.

“I had some coaxing from No. 90 (defensive tackle Sean Gilbert), and everything was fine.”

Gilbert’s advice was basic.

“He told me: ‘Just play, you’re here now, the time has come,’ ” Henley said.