One of the coolest stories of the NFL preseason will continue into Week 1. Former Rugby League star Jarryd Hayne survived the final cuts of the San Francisco 49ers, and will be on the team's 53-man roster, the team announced.
The surprise here is that the news is not a surprise. Hayne opened eyes in the preseason as an excellent return man. He's also a rugged running back with a penchant for open field plays and running over tacklers.
Hayne's special teams ability likely won him the spot on the team, because he's not going to be high on the running back depth chart. But it wouldn't be a surprise if Hayne earned the Week 1 starting kick return and punt return duties. He might even get a few plays out of the backfield. Essentially he's a jumbo-sized version of what his new teammate Reggie Bush used to be.
A lot of folks in Australia are rightly proud of their guy on Saturday. After a risky move to give up a lucrative career as a Rugby League star -- Hayne was making $1.5 million there -- he made an NFL roster with virtually no experience.
In other 49ers news, the team announced that linebacker Ahmad Brooks will remain on the roster despite his recent legal charges. Niners coach Jim Tomsula told reporters Saturday he expects Brooks to play in the team's opener against the Minnesota Vikings.
The 49ers released a statement about the team's decision to keep Brooks on the roster.
"We have been in close communication with the league and a preliminary status decision has been made regarding Ahmad Brooks. Ahmad will remain on the active roster. In addition to the steps the organization has taken to this point, both the judicial and the league process under the Personal Conduct Policy will continue. Those processes will dictate any further action."
The NFL issued a statement regarding its ongoing investigation into Brooks:
"Based upon our investigation to date, we determined that placing Ahmad Brooks on the Commissioner's Exempt List was not warranted. Our review will continue during the legal proceedings and we will examine all available information from the court under the Personal Conduct Policy."
