The next steps in Jarryd Hayne’s pursuit of an NFL dream

HUGE decisions will be made over the coming days as Jarryd Hayne discovers whether he’ll be a 49er, and the latest sign is definitely a positive one.

JARRYD Hayne began his NFL journey a long shot to make the San Francisco 49ers roster. Now, it will be a surprise if he does not make the cut.

“For me, the door pretty much wasn’t open — I had to open the door to come here,” Hayne said Sunday (AEST) after his third pre-season appearance for the 49ers, against the Denver Broncos.

“That’s what life is all about, taking those opportunities and not letting them slip.”

The Australian was starved of opportunities Sunday, getting his first touch of the football deep in the third quarter — a punt return for a 12-yard gain.

Hayne later made the first catch of his short NFL career, an 18-yard reception, and was stopped for no gain on both of his carries at running back.

In arguably the best sign yet that Hayne will make the 53-man roster, US media did not ask 49ers coach Jim Tomsula today whether the former NRL star would make the cut, but rather whether he would be a starter.

Reporter: “Jim, have you seen all you need to see from Jarryd Hayne as a return man? Or with his lack of experience — relatively speaking of course — do you have to see a lot more from him before you make a decision whether he’s going to be your primary guy when the season starts?”

Tomsula: “I’m pretty confident in Jarryd’s ability to field the ball. I’ve watched a tonne of tape on this guy fielding a rugby ball. I’ve seen him field here at practice. I’ve seen him field in game situations.

“I feel very good about his abilities to field. I feel very good about his abilities to perform with a ball in his hands on special teams. The coverage parts of it? I’ve seen a lot of improvement there. The guy will fly down the field in those areas.

“So, all of those things I’ve seen what I need to see. I think it’s been a great evaluation on him.

“As a group obviously we’ve got a couple people working in that return role. You saw Reggie (Bush) doing it, you’ve seen Bruce Ellington doing it, you see Alabama (DeAndrew White) getting a chance. I mean, we’ve got to see what he’s got. I’ve seen Reggie do it games. I’ve seen Bruce Ellington do it in games. We’re looking at Alabama to see how he’s doing.”

Hayne makes a punt return for the 49ers against the Broncos.

Hayne expects a lot more game time in his final pre-season trial Friday against the San Diego Chargers, which will be his last chance to impress.

“Next game is going to be a game that we’ll get a lot of time, obviously if I’m still here,’’ Hayne said.

“The starters don’t play, so it’s pretty much the twos and threes the whole game.

“This is where we’ll get a tonne of time so it’s going to be good.”

And Hayne is expected to be there. The 49ers will cut its 90-man squad to 75 by Wednesday, before deciding on its 53-man squad on Sunday.

According to SB Nation’s Niners Nation’s roster projection, Hayne will make the cut at the expense of Kendall Hunter.

Niners Nation’s David Fucillo said Sunday’s game made it “more and more likely that Kendall Hunter does not make the roster”.

“It is not surprising [Hunter] looked a little rusty in his first game back, but with the competition at running back, and really all around the roster, it might cost him a roster spot,” Fucillo wrote, selecting Hayne in one of four 49ers’ running back spots.

Tomsula stuck with his theme of playing down the Haynemania post-game on Sunday, saying: “I don’t want to sit here and make statements and things like that today, but he’s definitely got himself into the conversation.”

If Hayne doesn't make 49ers, I'll swim to Australia https://t.co/4THtOqtFar

— Cam Inman (@CamInman) August 30, 2015

Hayne is tackled by Broncos linebacker Shaquil Barrett.

The Denver Post’s Cameron Wolfe said that while Hayne needed more time to get acclimated, he looked like a “keeper” for the 49ers — and then he made a huge call.

“In a few months Hayne has gone from an intriguing story, unlikely to make the 53-man roster, to potentially one of the most dangerous weapons in the NFL,” Wolfe declared.

Hayne said he was not worried about the upcoming roster cuts.

“I don’t control the future so I’m not worrying about something I don’t control,” the former Parramatta star said.

“I’m happy coming over here and doing what I’ve been able to do the last couple of games. I put my best foot forward, I’ve felt, and if the coaches like it, they like it.”

Sydney radio station Triple M is so sure Hayne will make the 49ers’ 53-man roster, that it is giving away tickets to see the Aussie potentially play his first game at San Francisco against the Minnesota Vikings on September 15.

NRL legend Andrew Johns also mentioned he would be making the trek.

“I can’t wait to watch him play … he looks like a superstar,” Johns said.

HAYNE’S KEY DATES THIS WEEK

Wednesday: 49ers roster cut from 90 to 75

Friday: Final pre-season game, against the San Diego Chargers at 12pm

Sunday: 49ers roster cut from 75 to 53

All dates in Australian time

Originally published as The next steps in Jarryd Hayne’s pursuit of an NFL dream