49ers bring back Aussie Hayne

The 49ers announced on Saturday they have promoted Hayne off their practice squad and inserted him back in their 53-man active roster, making him eligible to play the Detroit Lions on Sunday (Monday Fiji time).

Hayne, am Australian Rugby League convert and fan favorite, has been on the practice squad since he was released earlier this season.

The “Hayne Plane” has come under fire after three fumbles in first four games but says he feels more comfortable after each outing. In a related move, they placed guard Alex Boone on injured reserve.

Hayne was “happy” with the experience he gained in his first career start, prompted not so much by his diligent work on the scout team the past two months but rather the 49ers’ fantastic attrition at running back.

While Hayne could help an injury-riddled running back unit, his specialty is as a punt returner, and it’s unknown if he’ll reclaim that role from Bruce Ellington or if he’ll simply play elsewhere to spark the special-teams units.

It quickly paid off, with Hayne showing the power and speed that made him an NRL star, including an 11-yard run that put quarterback Blaine Gabbert in a position to connect with tight end Vance McDonald for the first touchdown of the game.

It’s not clear which running back will start for San Francisco this week against the Lions. Hayne will wear number 38. The 27-year-old, however, struggled once the regular season began, fumbling three times as a punt returner – including his first attempt in the season opener.

Hayne’s return to the 49ers’ 53-man squad doesn’t ensure he will play the Lions. So the 49ers ended up, most recently, with Shaun Draughn, Kendall Gaskins and DuJuan Harris as the primary running backs. If not, they are likely to offer him a future/reserve contract that, if signed, also would make him a 49er when the new seasons gets underway.