Dave Birkett

Detroit Free Press

Rugby star Jarryd Hayne is making a second visit with the Detroit Lions today, and the team has expressed an interest in signing him.

Lions coach Jim Caldwell said that Hayne held a private workout for NFL teams in San Diego, and Hayne made an exploratory visit to the Lions last Thursday and Friday.

"We take a look at a lot of different people all the time," Caldwell said at his news conference today. "It's a constant sort of exploration for us, where we're always trying to look to find ways to improve and we're looking at every option that's out there, available to us."

Hayne, 26, was named the best player in Australia's National Rugby League last season, but he retired from the sport earlier this year, in hopes of landing an NFL contract.

Hayne's agent, Jack Betcha, said in an email last week that "Jarryd was impressed with the Lions staff and players" but that "no decision is imminent, as we have to explore all options."

Hayne, who's training as a running back, also has visited the Seattle Seahawks and San Francisco 49ers.

Lions running back Reggie Bush, who met Hayne during a promotional trip to Australia earlier this year, said in October that he believes the rugby player can make the transition to the NFL.

"I just think he's a good athlete," Bush said. "I've seen some of his film, I watched him, and he has all the skill sets that it takes to play in the NFL."

Because he lacks football experience, any team that signs Hayne likely would sign him to a futures deal after the season, or to the practice squad for the duration of the year.

Last December, the Lions signed American rugby star Carlin Isles to their practice squad, only to have him return to rugby in the spring.

They also signed Norwegian kicker Havard (Kickalicious) Rugland to compete for the kicking job in early 2013. They were rebuffed by the NFL in their efforts to keep him as an extra man on the practice squad, after he lost the kicking job to David Akers.

Note: Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson is among eight finalists for the NFL's new Sportsmanship Award. Also among the finalists are Arizona Cardinals receiver Larry Fitzgerald; linebackers Thomas Davis of Carolina and Chad Greenway of Minnesota; safety Troy Polamalu of Pittsburgh; defensive end DeMarcus Ware of Denver; quarterback Alex Smith of Kansas City; and special teams ace Matthew Slater of New England. A panel of former players — Hall of Famer Curtis Martin, Warrick Dunn, Karl Mecklenburg and Leonard Wheeler — selected the finalists from 32 nominees, one from each team. The winner will be determined by a vote of current NFL players and announced during the "NFL Honors" program Jan. 31.

Contact Dave Birkett: dbirkett@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @davebirkett.