Louis Rees-Zammit released by Kansas City – but could still make their practice squad

Louis Rees-Zammit has been released by the Kansas City Chiefs during the team’s roster cutdowns ahead of the new NFL season, with the former Wales wing now waiting to see if he will be signed to the team’s practice squad.

NFL teams had to reduce their rosters from 90 players to 53 by 9pm BST on Tuesday, with Rees-Zammit not retained as part of the Chiefs’ final 53-player group, as expected given he was one of the fourth-choice running backs.

The 23-year-old, who switched to American football in January, was signed by the Chiefs earlier this year on a three-year deal after participating in the NFL’s international player pathway.

Only seven months on from first picking up the sport, Rees-Zammit featured during pre-season as a running back and kick returner while also taking kick-offs. He was praised by Chiefs head coach Andy Reid as “a heck of an athlete” who required more time to familiarise himself with the sport.

Following his release, Rees-Zammit can now be signed by any of the other 31 NFL franchises. The most likely outcome is that he will clear waivers and be re-signed to the Chiefs’ 17-player practice squad, from which he can be called up to the main roster at any time while also continuing to work on his game with the club. Confirmation of whether he has made the Chiefs’ practice squad is expected later this week.

The Chiefs currently have another player on their roster with an international exemption spot, meaning that player does not count towards the final 53-player roster. That designation belongs to Chukwuebuka Godrick, the Nigerian offensive lineman in his second year with the Chiefs, who was released and then signed to the practice squad last August, but is currently on the main roster.

The NFL announced earlier this year that franchises can now have 17 players on their practice squad if one of those players is granted an international exemption spot. That could be good news for Rees-Zammit even if he does not end up with the Chiefs, with other franchises more willing to take a risk on an international player given they will not count towards their final roster numbers.