San Francisco 49ers have a selection dilemma over Jarryd Hayne’s rights

JARRYD Hayne has given the 49ers a giant selection headache, but the Australian does have an ace up his sleeve as he aims to be picked for the last game of the season.

San Francisco 49ers v Detroit Lions

JARRYD Hayne’s return to the San Francisco 49ers’ NFL game day squad could be short-lived.

A week ago the 49ers were faced with an injury-ravaged running back unit that forced them to promote Hayne off the practice squad and sign DuJuan Harris from the Baltimore Ravens.

For Monday morning’s season finale against the St Louis Rams, 49ers coach Jim Tomsula could have five healthy running back options to fill the three spots he takes into each game. Shaun Draughn, a sprained knee, and Mike Davis, a broken hand, could be available to take on the Rams at the 49ers’ Levi’s Stadium.

If Draughn is fit, Tomsula is likely to play him.

However, Hayne has a major weapon up his sleeve to get selected against the Rams — his contract with the 49ers could be nullified if he doesn’t suit up in the 46-man game day squad.

San Francisco media outlets have reported the 49ers only get to retain the rights to Hayne’s contract if he plays in the final game of the season and gets his ninth NFL appearance.

The former Parramatta Eels star was demoted to the practice squad following the week seven loss to Seattle on October 23 and only returned in Monday morning’s loss to Detroit.

Sometimes it’s good to have a loose contract.

Mercury News 49ers journalist Cam Inman recently said the 49ers want to play Hayne in the final game of the year to hold onto his contract rights through to the 2016-17 NFL season.

“The 49ers plan to keep Hayne on the 53-man roster for next week’s regular-season finale, thus retaining his contract rights heading into the offseason,” Inman wrote.

“This year’s experiment has been encouraging enough for Hayne to warrant more work in his closing game.

“The 49ers think it’s easier for a skill-position player than a lineman to switch sports, and Hayne is proving to be a better commodity than former British discus thrower Lawrence Okoye, who’s now on the New York Jets practice squad.”

Unfortunately for Hayne, he was also a last-option selection against Detroit and appears the man most likely to make way if Draughn is declared fit.

Tomsula has raved about Draughn, an NFL journeyman, who became the 49ers’ top running back option since signing with the team in early November.

That would likely squeeze out one of the three running backs Tomsula took into Sunday’s 32-17 loss to the Lions — Hayne, Harris and Kendall Gaskins.

Hayne isn’t certain to be a 49er in 2016.

Tomsula has been more reserved about Davis, telling reporters he would not rush Davis back to the field until he was ready.

Hayne was the surprise choice as the 49ers’ starting running back in Detroit and carried most of the load, playing 35 of the team’s 59 offensive snaps.

The former NRL star had his best game of the regular season with five receptions and nine carries for a combined 47 yards, including an 11-yard run to set up the 49ers’ first touchdown.

Tomsula gave Hayne a lukewarm compliment in the post game press conference, telling reporters: “I thought he represented himself well.”

The coach, who often goes out of his way to not personally criticise his players in front of the media, did single Hayne out for falling short of a first down marker on a key play late in the game.

“Jarryd just has to get to the sticks,” Tomsula said.

“He has to run the route to the sticks.”

It was Tomsula who felt the heat of reporters’ questions on Monday, with speculation he will be sacked after leading the team to an 11 loss, four win season.

Tomsula said he expects to be the 49ers’ coach next season.

“Yeah, I’m the coach until someone tells me I’m not,” Tomsula said.

— with AAP

Originally published as San Francisco 49ers have a selection dilemma over Jarryd Hayne’s rights