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Rugby star Jarryd Hayne reportedly will sign with the Detroit Lions as a running back.

(AP File Photo)

The Detroit Lions are adding a running back, and won't wait until free agency or the draft to do it.

Rugby superstar Jarryd Hayne will announce a futures deal with Lions in the coming days, according to a report from the Daily Telegraph in Sydney.

Hayne was also drawing interest from the Seahawks and 49ers, but chose Detroit because of its "proven track record in player development" according to the report.

The 6-foot-2, 225-pounder is a former MVP who quit the National Rugby League late last year to pursue an NFL career. He has worked with sprint coach Roger Fabri to make the transition.

Hayne has been working on a deal with Detroit for a couple months, and got an endorsement from Reggie Bush after the the Lions tailback visited Australia last summer.

"I think he'd do pretty well actually," Bush said. "Because he's quick, he's elusive, he's powerful, he's fast, he has great vision and those are all the things you need to play running back in the NFL."

The Lions' rushing attack was punchless last season, finishing 28th in the league, and the team is expected to make several changes. They've already parted with longtime center Dominic Raiola, and Bush's roster spot isn't guaranteed either.

Bush is under contract for two more seasons, but Detroit has not yet committed to bringing him back. Starter Joique Bell is about the only certainty in the Lions' ground game for 2015.

Hayne, who has never played American-style football, has a long way to go before he joins that mix. But it can't hurt to kick the tires on the guy and see what he has to offer.

From being open to moving left tackle Riley Reiff, to signing a rugby superstar, the Lions are sending a message that they'll try whatever it takes to develop a viable rushing attack.