Hayne might have made the 53-man roster for the 2015 season but the harsh reality is only 46 players can suit up on game day.
The 27-year-old was the story of the NFL during the pre-season and definitely has sentiment on his side amongst 49ers fans from San Francisco to Sydney.
He made a strong case for selection on the field in the pre-season, finishing second in total rushing yards and third highest amongst punt returners.
But while Australian fans only had eyes for Hayne, a few of his American born-and-raised team-mates also made a strong case for inclusion to coach Jim Tomsula.
So just who are these blokes who are trying to dash the dreams of our little Aussie battler?
Here are his three biggest threats.
Bruce Ellington: Position – Wide receiver, kick/punt returner
Ellington is entering his third NFL season and was the 49ers’ punt and kick returner in 2014.
That makes the 24-year-old Hayne’s biggest threat because the Australian’s best chance of making the team at this stage is as a returner.
Hayne out-performed Ellington in both punt and kick returns during the pre-season.
But the South Carolina product saved his best performance for last against the San Diego Chargers and appears to have overcome a troublesome hamstring, for now.
Most local journalists covering the 49ers expect Hayne to get the nod but if Tomsula thinks Ellington is still his best return man Hayne will almost certainly sit out the season opener.
De Andrew White: Position – Wide receiver / punt returner
Like Hayne, the 23-year-old is also entering his rookie season in the NFL.
He is facing his own battle to make the team as a wide receiver but showed promising signs as a returner in the pre-season and could also push Hayne out.
White averaged almost 23 yards per punt in the pre-season, better than Hayne (18), but Hayne’s 33-yard kick-return average was nine yards better than White’s.
Mike Davis: Running back
This rookie was a star at South Carolina and is highly-rated by the 49ers. He is effectively vying with Hayne for the third running back spot behind Carlos Hyde and Reggie Bush.
While Hayne was the second-highest rusher in the NFL during the regular season, he would lose a battle with Davis based solely on his skills at running back.
But the Hayne Plane’s work on special teams should have him above Davis on the pecking order right now.