They're selling Jarryd Hayne's No. 38 jersey in the 49ers' store, but former Bruce Ellington has emerged as a player potentially standing in the way of Hayne making the final 53-man squad.
The former South Carolina wide receiver made a couple of solid kick returns and ran for a 70-yard touchdown in the first quarter of San Francisco's pre-season match against the Chargers.
Ellington's performance sent the twitter "experts" into a spin about whether he would keep Hayne out of the squad.
Will it come down to Hayne v Ellington?
Part of 49ers evaluation today will be how big the difference is b/w Hayne & Ellington on returns. Bruce brings more @ WR than JH does at RB
— Laurie Horesh (@LaurieHoresh) September 4, 2015
@We_Came_In @kaoscomics Lasike is killing it. Meanwhile hype-man Hayne makes a whole 8 yards. He won't make the cut. Ellington schooling him
— Steve Strickland (@SteveStricklan6) September 4, 2015
@nickwalshaw these kick ass returns from Ellington cant be good for Hayne..
— David Neill (@Trickeytrev) September 4, 2015
@konoko196 Hayne does add RB depth though (not that we need it), I reckon we should keep Hayne though as Ellington's back up as returner
— Matt (@Mattys123) September 4, 2015
Ellington is lighting it up for the 49ers. A good reminder just how tough the competition is for Jarryd Hayne to make the cut.
— Brendan Hockings (@bhockings) September 4, 2015
HUUUGE return by Ellington! Great positioning, showed great experience. Not a great sign for Hayne...
— tom willis (@tommywillis91) September 4, 2015
Hayne is quick but he doesn't have Ellington's speed, he gets open and he's gone #49ers
— Matt (@Mattys123) September 4, 2015
Ellington is making Hayne not look so good thus far
— Stevie Q (@iamstevie) September 4, 2015
Bruce Ellington showing his trade mark quickness on the punt return. He is quicker and faster than Hayne.
— Kevin Lynch (@klynch49) September 4, 2015
Hate rooting against anyone, but Bruce Ellington is a guy who may keep Jarryd Hayne out of a spot. Nice kick ret, great speed on 70yd TD rec
— Andrew Griffith (@aussiegriff) September 4, 2015
Cutting Jarryd Hayne, letting Bruce Ellington be the returner and keeping DeAndrew White over Quinton Patton. Stayed tuned for mo moves
— Kevin Lynch (@klynch49) September 4, 2015
Part of 49ers evaluation today will be how big the difference is b/w Hayne & Ellington on returns. Bruce brings more @ WR than JH does at RB
— Laurie Horesh (@LaurieHoresh) September 4, 2015