Jarryd Hayne Update: NFL rookie confirms status with 49ers
Jarryd Hayne’s manager Wayne Beavis has confirmed the Aussie rookie’s status with the San Francisco 49ers and the NFL.
Beavis denied rumours that Hayne is planning to return to Australia to play for the National Rugby League following his demotion with the 49ers and insisted that the former Eel wants to continue his pursuit of a successful NFL career.
“I spoke to him (Hayne) this afternoon,” Beavis told Rugby League Week. “The conversation about him coming home has never taken place.”
Reports of Hayne returning to NRL immediately sparked after the Australian rugby league star was released by the 49ers and subsequently relegated to the 49ers’ practice squad after clearing off waivers. NRL teams like the Sydney Roosters and the Penrith Panthers are among those who showed interest in Hayne if he decides to return to Australia.
Beavis also believes the 49ers want to preserve Hayne or they would not have bothered to bring him back on the practice squad. Moreover, according to David Fucillo of SB Nation’s Niners Nation, the 49ers are likely to sign Hayne in a future contract, which gets the Aussie rookie signed through the offseason workout program and training camp.
Hayne getting back into the 49ers’ main roster this season seems very unlikely, but the team are presumably serious about improving the Australian punter’s skills for next season. Hayne showed his potential in playing American football during the preseason, but he came up too inexperienced in the 2015-2016 NFL regular season, committing a series of turnovers in as many as six games.
Meanwhile, Beavis confirmed Hayne does not seem to be bothered by the idea of not playing meaningful football for a long period of time, while keeping his NFL dream alive. Beavis also pointed out Hayne’s three-year deal with the 49ers and insisted the Aussie rookie was always to going to “stick it out.”
“No, not really, I don’t think so,” Beavis added. “It’s something that he wanted to pursue and he’s going to do it, you know.”
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