NFL News: Jarryd Hayne survives San Francisco 49ers' first roster cut

Jarryd Hayne was named in the San Francisco 49ers’ 75-man squad on Tuesday, surviving the first official roster cut of the club. Hayne, who has been the 49ers’ story of preseason football, will have one last chance for a roster spot when San Francisco faces San Diego Chargers on Friday for the club’s final preseason trial.

Hayne was always likely to make the 49ers’ first cut, after a remarkable debut against Houston Texans last month followed by an even more stunning display against the Dallas Cowboys at the weekend. The 49ers coach Jim Tomsula indicated that “Hayne Plane” could be part of his main squad on Sept. 5, saying that there has been a lot of improvement on how the Aussie fits his side.

"I feel very good about his ability to field. I feel good about his ability to perform with ball in his hands on special teams,” Tomsula said, the Sydney Morning Herald reported.

Niner Insider writer Kevin Lynch also believes Hayne could join the 49ers’ finalised squad after proving to be outstanding in the open field with his punt return skills. “It appears Hayne will probably have a spot on the 49ers as a returner and as a running back, who can catch passes out of the backfield,” Lynch said, reports Fox Sports.

However, the Australian rugby league star will have a tough competition ahead of the 49ers’ final roster trim on Monday, with the club uncertain of how many running backs they will name in their final roster.The Sydney Morning Herald reports that if Hayne does not make San Francisco’s 53-man roster, he could be waived by the team since he has not been in the NFL for more than four years. However, if the 49ers wishes to keep the former Eel on the club’s 10-man practice squad, they have to hope no NFL rivals gets Hayne before midday on Sept. 6.

On the other hand, Hayne making the 49ers’ final cut would not guarantee him an immediate roster spot. The 28-year-old Hayne could be forced out of San Francisco if the club decides to bring in players who were cut from other squads. However, if Hayne is able to keep his position on the 53-man squad, he could make his NFL debut if selected as part of the 46 active players for the 49ers’ first game of the season against Minnesota Vikings on Sept. 14 at Levi’s Stadium.

Meanwhile, fellow Australians Brad Wing and Jordan Berry are also in the middle of a campaign for an NFL career. Wing and Berry, both Aussie punters, is running to play for the Pittsburgh Steelers, but only one will be cut when the final 53-man rosters is named.

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