Jarryd Hayne has been promoted from the San Francisco 49ers' practice squad to their active roster.
What does that mean?
After two months of howls of protest and head-scratching from Hayne fans and media members in Australia and the US, the former rugby league star has been thrown an NFL lifeline and is eligible to play against the Detroit Lions on Sunday (5am Monday AEDT).
Active roster
News that makes sense
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NFL teams have 53 players on their active roster. Only 46 can play in games. There is a chance Hayne might not take to the field against the Detroit Lions this weekend. The 49ers will announce their 46 players just 45 minutes before kickoff.
Practice squad
This is where Hayne was stuck since November 2. Practice squad members can't play games, but train with the 53-man roster during the week, often used to simulate the team's next opponent.
Show me the money
Hayne was earning about $A9100 a week on the practice squad. Now he is on the active roster he'll be cashing a more palatable $A35,260 a week (yes, a week).
Why was Hayne activated?
49er running backs have almost become an extinct species. They've lost four to injury in recent weeks. While earlier in the season Hayne was favoured by the 49ers as a punt returner, they need a healthy running back this week to back up Kendall Gaskins and DuJuan Harris.
Will Hayne play punt returner in Detroit?
This will be interesting. Hayne was dumped to the practice squad after dropping three punts, but his replacement Bruce Ellington has since had his own hat-trick of spills. Hayne averaged 9.5 yards per return. Ellington has just 7.6. That's why Hayne fans have been scratching their heads. Hayne has been out of favour with special teams co-ordinator Thomas McGaughey and hasn't been training as a punt returner in recent weeks.
Brief return
If Hayne doesn't show the goods in Detroit he could find himself waived and back on the practice squad. Injured 49er running back Mike Davis is eligible to return for next week's final game against St Louis.
Do 49ers coaches want Hayne to succeed?
If Hayne has a big game in Detroit it will give more weight to the calls for the sacking of general manager Trent Baalke, coach Jim Tomsula, offensive co-ordinator Geep Chryst and McGaughey. They've made many odd decisions during the 49ers' 10 loss, four win season. Hiding an offensive talent and game-breaker like Hayne on the practice squad when the team has the worst-ranked offence in the NFL is one more example.
Hayne's future
If Hayne stays on the active roster for next week's final game against St Louis the 49ers will control his rights. If not, he'll have more say where he can play.
