Louis Rees-Zammit Misses Chiefs’ 53-Man Roster

Louis Rees-Zammit did not make the Kansas City Chiefs’ 53-man roster for the 2024 NFL season. The 23-year-old Welsh winger transitioned from rugby to the NFL in January and trained with the Chiefs throughout the offseason. He appeared in all three of their pre-season games but did not secure a spot on the final squad announced on cutdown day.

Rees-Zammit’s journey is not over yet, as the Chiefs will place him on waivers allowing other NFL teams to sign him. He is expected to continue his development with the Chiefs on their practice squad. This arrangement will give him extra time to adapt to American football. The Chiefs can also promote him to their active roster up to three times during the season.

The team can also elevate two players from the practice squad for each game. Rees-Zammit began his NFL career with a 10-week training camp as part of the International Player Pathway (IPP) program. The Chiefs, who have won the past two Super Bowls, signed him. Originally assigned as a running back, Rees-Zammit played multiple positions during the pre-season.

His chances diminished when the Chiefs re-signed veteran receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster. Smith-Schuster took the number nine jersey that Louis Rees-Zammit had worn. Other IPP players faced similar challenges. The Los Angeles Chargers released Praise Olatoke after a brief appearance. Former Gaelic footballers Charlie Smyth and Jude McAtamney also did not make their respective teams.

The Buffalo Bills placed Travis Clayton a former rugby player on injured reserve due to a shoulder injury. In a notable NFL development, team owners approved private equity investment allowing firms to buy up to 10% of a team. This change could introduce billions in new funding to the league a significant shift from the traditional family and individual ownership model.

The last franchise sold, the Washington Commanders fetched a record £4.8 billion.