Jarryd Hayne has received one of the strongest endorsements yet as his first NFL season with the struggling San Francisco 49ers comes to a close.

The former Australian league star returned to the NFL this week, after being elevated from the practice squad to play against the Detroit Lions.

He had an encouraging match and Ron Barr, the renowned San Francisco sports commentator, has declared that Hayne is definite NFL quality.

Barr, from Sports Byline USA, told Radio Sport's Kent Johns the 49ers needed to define Hayne's role. Hayne had problems with errors as a special teams punt returner, and had also played at running back.