Detroit Lions cut NFL star Reggie Bush, Jarryd Hayne still without team

IN what could be a great sign for Jarryd Hayne, the Detroit Lions have cut Super Bowl winning running back Reggie Bush.

DETROIT, MI - SEPTEMBER 21: Reggie Bush #21 of the Detroit Lions warms up prior to the start of the game against the Green Bay Packers at Ford Field on September 21, 2014 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images)

IN what could be a great sign for Jarryd Hayne, the Detroit Lions have cut their running back Reggie Bush.

Bush, on a promotional trip to Australia had been full of praise for Hayne, but with the Lions releasing the 29-year-old running back, who had an injury-plagued 2014 season, the team will need to restock the position.

Reggie Bush celebrates a touchdown last NFL season.

The Lions are focusing on bolstering their running game after finishing 28th out of the 32 NFL teams in rushing last year. Hayne’s US agent Jack Bechta said on Tuesday the former Parramatta Eel, who is aiming to be a running back, punt returner or wide receiver, had whittled the potential NFL teams he will sign with down to the Lions, San Francisco 49ers and Seattle Seahawks.

Bush appeared in just 11 games for the Lions last season, rushing for 297 yards.

That was down from 1006 yards the previous year.

Reggie Bush and Jarryd Hayne met before State of Origin last year.

In an example of the cutthroat nature of the business side of the sport Hayne is entering, by cutting Bush the Lions will not have to pay him a base salary of $US3.25 million ($A4.12 million), with a $US250,000 ($A317,000) workout bonus, the coming season and the $US5.8 million ($A7.35 million) he was set to make in 2016.

Most NFL contracts are not guaranteed, allowing the clubs to walk away from a player without paying their contracts.

Bechta said Hayne is set to make a decision by early next week.

Originally published as Detroit Lions cut NFL star Reggie Bush, Jarryd Hayne still without team