Rees-Zammit misses out on Chiefs' 53-man squad

Former rugby national prima Louis Rees-Zammit has not been selected successful nan Kansas City Chiefs' 53-man squad for nan 2024 season.

The erstwhile Wales winger, who discontinue rugby successful January to prosecute a profession successful nan NFL, has been training pinch nan Chiefs passim nan offseason.

The 23-year-old played successful each 3 of their pre-season games, but missed retired connected nan NFL's 'cutdown day'.

Teams person an offseason training squad of 90 players and must prime 53 for nan commencement of nan season, for which nan deadline was Tuesday.

Rees-Zammit's hopes of playing during nan regular play are not over, though.

He will now beryllium placed connected waivers, meaning different squad tin motion him, but he is expected to proceed training pinch nan Chiefs arsenic portion of their believe squad.

That would springiness him much clip to accommodate to nan sport, and nan NFL champions tin beforehand him to their progressive roster up to 3 times during nan season. NFL teams tin beforehand 2 players from their believe squad each game.

Rees-Zammit's NFL travel began pinch a 10-week training campy arsenic portion of nan NFL's International Player Pathway (IPP).

He was past signed by nan Chiefs, who person won nan past 2 Super Bowls, and though he was earmarked arsenic a moving back, he played successful a assortment of positions during pre-season arsenic nan Chiefs tried to find his astir suitable role.

But his chances of making nan trim were dealt a rustle connected Monday erstwhile they re-signed knowledgeable receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster, giving him nan number 9 jersey that nan Welsh rookie has worn during pre-season.

Fellow IPP merchandise Praise Olatoke was signed by nan Los Angeles Chargers successful June and though nan erstwhile sprinter featured successful their first pre-season game, nan Scot was released nan pursuing week.

Former Gaelic footballers Charlie Smyth and Jude McAtamney besides missed out contempt playing successful pre-season, pinch nan New Orleans Saints and New York Giants respectively.

A enarthrosis wounded meant Travis Clayton could not play successful pre-season for nan Buffalo Bills, who person designated nan ex-Basingstoke rugby subordinate arsenic an injured reserve truthful he is group to proceed training pinch nan Bills erstwhile fit.

Meanwhile, NFL squad owners person voted to let backstage equity finance successful a landmark move that could spot billions of dollars successful caller backing successful nan league.

Historically, franchises person been tally arsenic family businesses aliases owned by able individuals, but hand-picked firms are group to beryllium allowed to acquisition a squad liking of up to 10%.

The past franchise to beryllium sold was nan Washington Commanders past twelvemonth for a league-record of astir £4.8bn.