Louis Rees-Zammit has suffered an harm blow forward of the brand new NFL pre-season, with the Welshman in a race towards time to show himself on the highest stage.
Louis Rees-Zammit has suffered a recent setback (Picture: Getty)
Louis Rees-Zammit has encountered a setback forward of the brand new NFL season. The Welshman is presently with the Jacksonville Jaguars, aiming to safe a spot on both the 53-man roster or 17-man observe squad for the 2025/2026 marketing campaign.
Nonetheless, lower than two weeks earlier than the primary pre-season sport towards the Pittsburgh Steelers on August 9, Rees-Zammit has suffered a decrease again harm. The previous Wales rugby worldwide’s American soccer profession hangs within the steadiness this summer season, with Rees-Zammit himself acknowledging that point is operating out to show his value on the high stage, having beforehand been ‘ruthlessly’ launched by the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs.
The Penarth-born extensive receiver solely commenced official pre-season coaching final week, after spending the low season within the UK with household and associates. His future within the sport is now unsure, as a again drawback may probably sideline him from essential pre-season video games.
Reporter Mia O’Brien shared on X that the previous Gloucester Rugby star “missed the final a number of practices and can stay out” alongside team-mate Johnny Mundt. KCKingdom, a Chiefs information outlet, reported on the scenario, speculating: “If he cannot return quickly sufficient to indicate the Jags teaching employees what he can do, he’ll be launched forward of the season.”
Rees-Zammit had beforehand performed for the Chiefs earlier than heading to the Jaguars. He was included within the Jags’ 17-man observe squad final season, although he by no means made it onto the principle roster for precise matches.
Whereas observe squad members might be promoted as much as 3 times throughout a marketing campaign, the previous rugby sensation wasn’t given the nod. Quite than serving as an opportunity to determine himself within the beginning line-up, his debut American soccer season proved extra of an academic expertise.
Rees-Zammit is aiming to make the Jags’ closing roster (Picture: Getty)
Having accomplished his first yr within the sport, Rees-Zammit can be desperate to safe a spot on the 53-player roster or, at a minimal, earn promotion from the observe squad because the designated Worldwide Participant Pathway (IPP) consultant. Ought to he fail to get significant minutes throughout pre-season, head coach Liam Cohen is unlikely to favour him over extra seasoned squad members.
Throughout a June interview with talkSPORT, Rees-Zammit acknowledged that IPP athletes sometimes have roughly two years to grasp the sport earlier than their window closes. For him, failure would in all probability imply a return to rugby, mirroring former England worldwide Christian Wade’s journey after spending time with the Buffalo Payments earlier than heading again to rugby union.
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“Worldwide gamers get in all probability two to a few years to make it within the NFL,” he defined. “So I wished to do it at a time the place I perhaps may come again to rugby. I am 24 now, in all probability obtained one to 2 extra years to try to make it relying on how this yr goes. I will be 25, 26 once I return to rugby. I prefer to assume I can nonetheless play on the highest stage.”
Even when Rees-Zammit fails to characteristic within the opening pre-season fixture, he may have two further possibilities to show his skills and value to Cohen earlier than the common marketing campaign kicks off in September. The Jags are set to face the New Orleans Saints and Miami Dolphins throughout August, with the 53-man squad and 17-man observe staff being confirmed on the month’s finish.
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