San Francisco 49ers release unofficial depth chart

NEW evidence suggests Jarryd Hayne will make his much-awaited NFL debut for the 49ers, despite coach Jim Tomsula’s endeavours to keep his plans secret.

San Diego Chargers v San Francisco 49ers

SAN Francisco 49ers coach Jim Tomsula has remained silent on whether Jarryd Hayne will make his NFL debut, but new evidence is telling.

The 49ers today released their depth chart ahead of Tuesday’s (AEST) season opener against the Minnesota Vikings, and the Australian is listed as equal with Reggie Bush for punt and kick returns, and has moved ahead of Mike Davis to No. 3 at running back.

While Hayne is still not a clear-cut starter, Bush has returned just one kick-off in his entire NFL career — that coming back in 2010. Bush has not returned a punt in the regular season since 2011.

While Hayne returned just one kick-off this preseason, he did take it for 33 yards.

As a punt returner, he averaged 18.1 yards on nine returns, ranking second in the NFL among players who returned more than five.

Bruce Ellington is also in the mix as a punt returner. DeAndrew White joins Hayne and Bush as kick returners.

Carlos Hyde is listed as the No. 1 running back.

San Francisco’s depth chart ahead of Week 1 against the Vikings. Pic: 49ers.com.

Tomsula has placed a shroud of mystery over his plans to use Hayne against the Vikings.

The Vikings are a team loaded with talent, headed by $US14 million-a-season running back Adrian Peterson and one of the NFL’s hottest young quarterbacks, Teddy Bridgewater.

Played at the 49ers’ Levi’s Stadium, about 15 million Americans will tune into the traditional high-rating Monday Night Football TV telecast.

Tomsula wouldn’t say if Hayne would return punts and kicks against the Vikings, instead telling reporters yesterday he would select from the group he used in the pre-season.

He added he could use multiple returners throughout the game.

“It’s the same group you’ve seen,” Tomsula said.

“All the guys have done a nice job at that.”

Asked specifically about the team using Hayne as a returner, Tomsula replied: “We’re happy with the group that you’ve seen and, for obvious reasons, there could be more than one.

“I don’t want to get into half-truths and splitting hairs and all that kind of stuff, but we are happy with the whole group.”

Will he play or won’t he?

Hayne, after his sensational four pre-season games, was named in the 49ers’ 53-man squad on the weekend but on game days teams have just 46 players so it is possible the former Parramatta Eel could be left on the bench.

Tomsula won’t announce his team until 90 minutes before kickoff.

The Vikings are considered are a dark horse for the Super Bowl, but few experts expect the 49ers to make the playoffs after suffering key player departures from last season.

“Adrian Peterson is always a challenge,” Tomsula said.

“If he puts on a helmet and a shirt, he’s a challenge.

“Teddy Bridgewater is doing a nice job, tight ends are doing a nice job.

“The wide receivers are obviously a fast crew ... so you put all that together, obviously we’ve got a tonne of respect for them.”

— with AAP