“The Jarryd Hayne era is over in San Francisco” – so said NBC Sports overnight, reporting on the 49ers decision to cut the young Aussie from their 53-man squad, promoting running back Kendall Gaskins to the active roster.
Hayne, who joined the club on March 3 this year, had played six games with the team, before being benched last week for a clash against the Seattle Seahawks.
Many had predicted his return this week, filling in while star running back Carlos Hyde recovers from a foot injury, but he has instead been placed on the club’s waivers list.
His 49ers career is not over, but this development means that, for a 24-hour period, other NFL teams are able to pick him up and give him a try if they like what they’ve seen from his six games.
If this does not happen, and Hayne ‘clears’ waivers, he can potentially be returned to the 49ers practice squad, to continue building his career with the team.
Hayne himself has responded to the news on Twitter, calling it “another test”, and wishing his team the best of luck against the Rams as he awaits news of his future:
Blessed for another test. Thanks for the love TW. Wish my guys all the best against the Rams. if nothing happens Ill be back on Tuesday???
— jarryd hayne (@JarrydHayne) October 31, 2015
Hayne’s US agent Jack Bechta said that he will likely be back to work on Monday or Tuesday, “either with the Niners or another team.”
Bechta pointed out that, when a player is placed on the waivers list on a weekend, it’s often a sign that their current team is trying to sneak them through the waivers period, making it more difficult for a rival to claim them.
In their assessment of his career so far, NBC sports said:
“Although Hayne showed some promise as a running back and kick returner, he never looked completely comfortable and struggled with fielding punts. He has the athletic talent to play in the NFL, but he had a steep learning curve and ultimately couldn’t get up to speed fast enough.”
via Fox Sports
Photo: Thearon W Henderson via Getty Images
Photo: Thearon W Henderson via Getty Images
