Australian Jarryd Hayne has been released by the San Francisco 49ers putting a sudden stop to the former rugby star’s NFL career. The 49ers waived Hayne to make a room in the 53-man roster for running back Kendall Gaskins and are hoping to re-sign the Australian to their practice squad, assuming Hayne clears waivers and isn’t signed by another NFL team.

A former star in the National Rugby League (NRL) for the Parramatta Eels in Australia, Hayne had an impressive preseason with the 49ers but saw limited action in the 2015 regular season.

The 49ers are short of running backs with star RB Carlos Hyde injured due to a stress fracture in his left foot. Other running backs in the 49ers roster are veteran Reggie Bush and rookie Mike Davis.

Hayne, who is listed as a running back with the 49ers, has been used primarily as a punt returner for the 49ers although he has seen touches as a RB in six games this season.

According to CSNBayArea.com, the 49ers expect Hayne to clear waivers, with no other NFL team claiming him after the sudden release, and will re-sign him as a member of the team’s practice squad.

Hayne left the NRL in Australia and signed a three-year $1.583 million (AU $2.21 million) deal with the 49ers in the 2015 offseason. He was a superstar in the local rugby league in Australia but chose to chase the dream of playing in the NFL.

In six games for the 49ers, Hayne is credited 25 rushing yards on 8 carries, 7 receiving yards on a single reception and 76 yards on eight punt returns.

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