Jarryd Hayne has impressed everyone this summer, but that doesn’t mean he has already been guaranteed a spot on the San Francisco 49ers final roster, despite a report to the contrary.
An Australian rugby columnist who goes by the Twitter handle “The Mole” put out information that Hayne had been told he was already assured a roster spot.
BREAKING BIG SCOOP…Jarryd Hayne has told family and friends he's in 53 man roster with @49ers
— The Mole (@9_Moley) August 31, 2015
Head coach Jim Tomsula spoke to reporters on Tuesday morning and disputed this claim, however.
Tomsula, if Hayne made 49ers: I don't know what the rules are in the media in Australia, but you might want to fact check. The 53 is not set
— Cam Inman (@CamInman) September 1, 2015
Hayne was utilized sparingly in the team’s Week 3 contest against the Denver Broncos. After the game, Tomsula made a statement that gave the impression the 49ers were already enamored with the Aussie star.
“Well Jarryd obviously has himself in the conversation,” Tomsula said, via the team’s website. “I don’t want to sit here and make statements, but Jarryd has himself in the conversation. Special teams value is very high when you are talking about the last few spots on the team.”
Thus far in three preseason games, Hayne has distinguished himself as a return specialist and has popped off a few explosive plays on the ground as a running back, gaining 117 yards on 15 carries (7.8 yards per attempt).
It would be shocking at this point if Hayne doesn’t make the 49ers’ final roster, but if he is cut then you have to imagine it won’t be long before another team swoops in to land him.