Rugby star Louis Rees-Zammit FAILS to make Kansas City Chiefs roster for 2024 NFL season

Louis Rees-Zammit’s hopes of making it in the NFL have taken a huge hit after he was left off the Kansas City Chiefs’ roster for the 2024 season.

The former Wales winger made the surprise decision to retire from rugby earlier this year before signing a three-year deal with the back-to-back Super Bowl champions.

NFL teams had until Tuesday afternoon to trim their rosters to 53 players for the season. The season begins Sept. 5 when the Chiefs take on the Baltimore Ravens.

But Rees-Zammit will not be on the sidelines after failing to make the cut under head coach Andy Reid. The 23-year-old – who joined the team as a running back – has instead been released.

Mail Sport understands he is still hoping to join a team’s practice squad later this week, with a decision on which franchise is expected on Wednesday or Thursday. A new rule introduced this season means all 32 teams will be given an extra practice squad spot for international players such as Rees-Zammit.

The Welshman has not been included in the Kansas City Chiefs’ roster for the 2024 NFL season

He was absent from practice with the Chiefs on Tuesday and his number 9 jersey was worn by new signing JuJu Smith-Schuster earlier this week.

It remains to be seen what this disappointment means for the Welshman’s long-term future in the sport.

Rees-Zammit has established himself as a rugby superstar and his family have come to Kansas City to support him during pre-season training camp.

But he always faced a tough challenge to make the team in his rookie season. Although the Welshman has long dreamed of a career in the NFL, he had never played a game of American football before joining the NFL’s International Player Pathway in January.

He went through a 10-week boot camp before impressing scouts at a pro day, and Rees-Zammit drew interest from nearly half of the NFL’s 32 teams.

He joined the Super Bowl champions after making the shocking decision to retire from rugby in January

The 23-year-old Welshman always had a tough time making the team in his rookie season

He committed to the Chiefs and played in all three preseason games – against the Jaguars, Lions and Bears – where he was used as running back, receiver, kicker and kick returner.

It was long felt that Rees-Zammit’s hopes of making the roster were based on his impact on special teams. His performance improved during the preseason and he drew praise from coaches and teammates, including quarterback Patrick Mahomes.

“I’m not going to become the best player in the world overnight… I’d never played this sport until a week ago,” Rees Zammit said after the game against the Lions.

“People try to put me down, but I keep working really hard every day and learning as much as I can.”

Players on the practice squad can be signed by other teams or called up three times during the regular season.

They usually help the starting players by imitating opposing players during training.