Jarryd Hayne dropped to practice squad, set for pay cut

WHAT Aussie NFL player Jarryd Hayne’s demotion to the 49ers practice squad means — including how much it will cost him in salary.

SANTA CLARA, CA - OCTOBER 18: Running back Jarryd Hayne #38 of the San Francisco 49ers looks on from the sidelines during their NFL game against the Baltimore Ravens at Levi's Stadium on October 18, 2015 in Santa Clara, California. Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images/AFP == FOR NEWSPAPERS, INTERNET, TELCOS & TELEVISION USE ONLY ==

TUESDAY, November 3, will go down as one of the rougher days on Jarryd Hayne’s NFL journey.

After being cut by the San Francisco 49ers, the Aussie rugby league convert watched on as all 31 NFL teams chose not to sign him to their squads.

It left the former Parramatta Eel back in the place most people expected his NFL career to begin — on the 49ers’ practice squad.

Signed to @49ers practice squad.

— jarryd hayne (@JarrydHayne) November 3, 2015

Hayne’s demotion is an admission by the 49ers they got it wrong by including him on their 53-man roster before the start of the season.

Management and the coaching staff might argue serious injuries to running backs Carlos Hyde and Reggie Bush changed the circumstances — robbing the ‘Niners of the luxury of keeping a specialist punt returner on their roster — but in reality Hayne should have never been added to the 53-man squad if he wasn’t ready to play in the NFL.

The chances of a complete novice being able to pick up one of the world’s more complex team sports were always remote. It was always going to take time — and now Hayne will get that time away from the game day spotlight.

The former NRL superstar appears committed to continuing to chase his NFL dream but the events of the past 48 hours will sting. This is what it all means.

Jarryd Hayne won’t be in a game day uniform for a while.

WHAT IS A PRACTICE SQUAD?

Practice squads consist of 10 players an NFL team believes are worth investing time in, but for whatever reason are not ready to play at this point of their careers.

These players work out and practice with the team but cannot be picked to play in games.

WHEN CAN HE PLAY?

Like the man who replaced him in the 49ers’ active roster — running back Kendall Gaskins — Hayne could be promoted off the practice squad if a position in the 53-man roster became available.

But given San Francisco is already at the halfway mark of its season and has already signed another running back — free agent Shaun Draughn — it’s unlikely this year.

Hayne’s aim will be to show enough improvement at practice during the remainder of this season and next summer to regain his position.

WHAT WILL HE EARN?

The minimum wage for practice squad players is around $9200 AUD a week. It seems like a healthy pay check, but in comparison to what Hayne was being paid a week ago, it’s a significant cut.

Hayne was pulling in about four times that amount as part of a three-year $2.2 million contract he signed in September. But because it was an unguaranteed deal, the 49ers were able to cut him for basically no cost.

It should be noted there is no limit to what a team can pay a player on the practice squad, so if Hayne and his agent were able to negotiate a higher price he may not suffer as much financially.

CAN ANOTHER TEAM PICK HIM UP?

The short answer is yes. Hayne can sign to any other teams active roster if they want to bring him in.

He cannot sign to another team’s practice squad, unless he is released by the 49ers.

Originally published as Jarryd Hayne dropped to practice squad, set for pay cut