By Cam Inman/San Jose Mercury News

Maybe you’ve heard a little about the 49ers’ dazzling pickup this offseason, a captivating star who can run, catch and return kicks.
No, this isn’t another Jarryd Hayne story.
Reggie Bush is the multipurpose threat the 49ers eagerly signed this season for Colin Kaepernick & Co.
“I’ve had quite a bit of work with Reggie,” Kaepernick said recently, “so we had a pretty good feel for each other as far as how he was going to run routes, his body language, things like that.
“But, it’s great to have him on the field. I think everyone kind of saw (in practice) the effects that he can have on a defense and the things he opens up for us as an offense when he’s on the field.”
Bush, 30, has purposely kept a low profile through the offseason workouts and exhibition season.
The 10th-year veteran worked behind the scenes while most eyes focused on Hayne’s attempt at an NFL career, or Carlos Hyde’s ascension to Frank Gore’s former job as No. 1 running back, or the 49ers roster drama elsewhere.
Bush rarely has spoken since joining the 49ers as a free agent in March, but he offered a vote of confidence once the exhibition season ended.
“There’s a lot of great players here,” Bush said after Thursday night’s exhibition-finale win over the San Diego Chargers. “So far, throughout the OTAs, minicamps and training camp, all you’ve heard in the media is what we’ve lost.
“Nobody is talking about what’s still here.”
Bush didn’t do much talking on the field, either. He appeared in only one exhibition game, and that was a five-snap cameo in Denver. His only carry was pretty eventful: He scooped up a botched snap, raced ahead 21 yards and got body-slammed by cornerback Aqib Talib.
Bush landed so hard on the 49ers sideline that his mother texted him with concern after the game. Bush posted that exchange on his Instagram account.
“Looks like you were hit hard in your game today ... How’s your back feeling?” asked his mom.
Bush’s reply: “Lol nah I’m good.”
Bush’s health is something the 49ers tried to protect throughout training camp. They delayed his entry into team drills, where he eventually showed his prowess as a receiving threat on swing routes and screen passes.
Throughout his career — five seasons in New Orleans, followed by two apiece in Miami and Detroit — Bush has been catching passes out of the backfield. His 466 receptions are most among active NFL running backs, and that total will grow this season, especially on third down.
“His skill-set is tremendous as a third-down back. But he also can do other things,” coach Jim Tomsula said. “And we’ll utilize him. I believe Reggie Bush is a complete running back. You’ve seen him do everything in his career.”
That includes returning punts. Bush hasn’t done that since 2011, but when he visited the 49ers in March, that was on his list of talking points.
“We were sitting up here having dinner, up at Mina’s,” Tomsula recalled, “and Reggie said, ‘Now what about, who’s returning your punts?’ And I said, ‘Well, we got a couple of guys here.’ And he says, ‘Would you give me an opportunity?’ And I said _ well, I’m not gonna cuss —but I said, ‘Yes.’ “
Bush fielded two punts in the exhibition game at Denver. The first resulted in a 4-yard return. The second ultimately resulted in a safety; Kaepernick was sacked in the end zone after Bush let a punt roll to the 3-yard line.
Tomsula won’t say yet whether Bush indeed will return punts, or if Bruce Ellington will reclaim that role from last season, or if Hayne will get the call after a team-high nine returns (18.1-yard average) in his breakout preseason.
Bush, who visited Australia last summer and encouraged Hayne to pursue an NFL career, isn’t bragging about his own potential for the 49ers.
“The biggest thing I can offer is experience and leadership,” Bush said. “I’m trying to help the younger guys, from the way they approach the game, the way they prepare in playing like a pro and conducting yourself like a pro on and off the field.”