7 Jan 2015

Hayne's NFL dream has to wait

2:32 pm on 7 January 2015

Jarryd Hayne's bid to make it in American Football will have to wait a little longer.

Jarryd Hayne in action for the Eels in May

Jarryd Hayne in action for the Eels in May Photo: PHOTOSPORT

The Detroit Lions, the club favoured to sign the former Parramatta National Rugby League star, announced today it had signed 11 players to reserve or futures contracts, including eight on the practice squad.

Hayne was not among the players.

The Detroit Free Press newspaper reported the Lions are waiting to resolve paperwork issues before finalising a contract with Hayne.

Hayne has said he is close to signing with an NFL team, however declined to name the club.

He flew back to Australia before Christmas and pointed to visa issues as temporarily delaying him from signing with a team.

Hayne visited the Lions twice last month and took a physical with the team, the newspaper reported, but couldn't sign at the time because of the paperwork issues.

Hayne has also visited the Seattle Seahawks and San Francisco 49ers.

Should he make the grade, Hayne is expected to play running back in the NFL.