NFL
The Chiefs decide to let Louis Rees-Zammit go
Kansas City could still retain the Welshman as they will have room for international players on the practice roster.
Louis Rees-Zammit’s dream of playing in the NFL has been put on hold for a moment. The former rugby player has been released by the Kansas City Chiefs, Bleacher Report have claimed today, as the team must finalize its 53-man roster before the start of the season.
This doesn’t mean the end of Rees-Zammit’s NFL journey. It’s almost a certainty that the AFC West team will use the international player slot on the Welshman’s practice squad. If he isn’t reclaimed by the Chiefs, he’ll be free to sign with any other team in the league.
Louis Rees-Zammit’s pre-season performance
One of the things that makes Rees-Zammit an exciting player is his ball-kicking skills. In the preseason opener against the Jacksonville Jaguars, the Welshman recorded a 56-yard kickoff return. In total, he saw action on nine snaps on offense, where he generated four yards from scrimmage, and four on special teams, where he managed to knock down the punt returner in the third quarter.
During the second week of the preseason, Kansas City faced Detroit. Zammit was positioned as a receiver on kickoffs and gained 27 yards on his only attempt. In the second quarter, he achieved a 66-yard kick and placed the ball inside the Lions’ end zone.
The third period started with another kick from the Welshman, this time a 61-yard effort; later he recorded a 65-yarder. He was only active in 14 plays between offense and special teams.
Against the Chicago Bears in the final preseason game, he ran the ball four times for 21 yards. His best carry came in the fourth quarter; he attacked the middle from the shotgun formation and ran for 10 yards.
However, he was unable to catch the only pass thrown his way. A high note was the kickoff return in which he managed to generate 36 yards. His availability on the field increased to 17 plays.