Australian Hayne back on 49ers active roster

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 5am AEDT).

A day after being summoned off the practice squad, Hayne should be relatively pleased with how he fared in the 49ers’ 32-17 loss Sunday against the Detroit Lions.

The resurrection of Hayne’s National Football League career comes after the 49ers axed him on Halloween and two days later signed him to their practice squad. Shaun Draughn, their starter the previous six games, did not suit up because of a knee injury, while previous startersCarlos Hyde and Reggie Bush are on injured reserve.

49ers quarterback Blaine Gabbert, however, was full of praise for Hayne’s performance. Hayne has just eight carries for 25 yards, one reception for 7 yards and eight punt returns for 76 yards in six regular season games.

Neither Hayne nor Gaskins has starting experience, and Harris is the most established rusher among the trio. His statistics, however, were pedestrian: 27 yards on nine carries and 20 yards on five receptions.

It’s not clear which running back will start for San Francisco this week against the Lions.

“I thought he represented himself well”, 49ers coach Jim Tomsula said.

The 49ers, 4-10 this season, have a banged up backfield.

On another play he was hit by another linebacker in Josh Bynes, but Hayne bounced off and kept moving forward for a three yard gain and a first down.

As good as Hayne has been, it was the 49ers’ recently-acquired running back DuJuan Harris who has put up the biggest numbers and set up the 49ers’ second touchdown.

But with two games left, Hayne was brought back up to the active roster to show his development.

Jarryd Hayne fans might call his return to the San Francisco 49ers’ 53-man squad a Christmas miracle.

He has not played in the active roster since October 21.