With Jarryd Hayne still on the outer, the San Francisco 49ers are looking to a new player to help resurrect their season.
Recent recruit Travaris Cadet can play the dual running back and punt return positions the 49ers hoped at the start of the season Hayne would fill.
Cadet, 26, who had stints at the New Orleans Saints and New England Patriots, was signed by the injury-struck 49ers last week after the team released another running back, Pierre Thomas.
Coach Jim Tomsula on Monday described Cadet as a "shiftier" runner compared to some of the team's power running back options.
"We've got some bigger guys and he brings an element I like," Tomsula told reporters.
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The 49ers waived former Australian NRL star Hayne on October 31 after six inconsistent games, which included three fumbles, and then signed him to their practice squad.
Despite serious injuries to running backs Carlos Hyde, Reggie Bush and Mike Davis, the 49ers bypassed Hayne and signed other running back options and switched kick returner Bruce Ellington to the Australian's punt return role.
The 49ers, with three wins and six losses, travel to NFC West division rivals the Seattle Seahawks (four wins, five losses) on Sunday.
Tomsula, who hasn't given up hope on making the play-offs, said the 49ers would go with Blaine Gabbert at quarterback, keeping their highest paid player Colin Kaepernick as the back-up.
