Pressure is building on the San Francisco 49ers to give Jarryd Hayne another shot at the NFL.
The 49ers' dismal season continued on Sunday when they lost 19-13 at home to the Arizona Cardinals, the team's eighth loss in 11 games.
Bruce Ellington, who replaced Hayne as punt returner, had his second fumble in two games.
With the 49ers no hope of making the playoffs and just five games left in their season, San Francisco media members and fans are calling for Hayne to be promoted from the practice squad to the 53-game roster to get game experience.
"Huge mistake by Bruce Ellington, muffing the punt near midfield," Comcast Sportsnet's Matt Maiocco tweeted.
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"It might be time to get Jarryd Hayne back on the 53-man roster."
Ellington's first quarter error left the 49ers in an early hole, with the Cardinals recovering the ball and then kicking a field goal to take a 3-0 lead.
Ellington also fumbled a kick in the 49ers previous loss, against the Seattle Seahawks.
It was Hayne's three fumbles in the first six games of the regular season, along with his inexperience as a running back, that led to the former Parramatta Eel being cut by the 49ers and re-signed to the practice squad.
Two of the three running backs the 49ers brought in after Hayne's axing, Kendall Gaskins and Travaris Cadet, did not rush for a yard against Arizona.
The 49ers relied on journeyman running back Shaun Draughn, who managed just 51 yards from 15 carries against Arizona, with a 19-yard run the highlight.
49ers coach Jim Tomsula, under pressure to keep his job, has not raised the prospect of playing Hayne or other young players to give them experience despite the season being dead.
The coach has repeatedly said he is focused on winning games.
"We're in the business of winning games," Tomsula told the post-game press conference.
