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Louis Rees-Zammit made his Kansas City Chiefs debut in a pre-season defeat to the Jacksonville Jaguars on Saturday, seven months after he last played rugby union for Gloucester.
The 23-year-old former Wales winger was used in a variety of roles by the Chiefs in their 26-13 loss in Jacksonville, with Rees-Zammit playing both as a running back in attack and on special teams as part of the kickoff unit.
Rees-Zammit finished with two carries, one yard, and also caught the only pass thrown his way for three yards.
He also contributed on special teams, making a tackle, while also taking one of the kickoffs himself in the fourth quarter. The kickoff he took went 56 yards, according to game statistics.
Rees-Zammit said The Irish NFL Show After: “I loved it. I loved taking the shots I took, on special teams as well. I just have to look back and re-examine them, see how I can improve.”
“I got a kickoff, being able to play special teams is amazing, to use my skills. I’m happy and I see how I can improve. The atmosphere was great, pretty electric in the stadium, a lot of Chiefs fans helped out a lot. I’m looking forward to the next game.”
Kansas City has two preseason games remaining against the Detroit Lions and Chicago Bears for Rees-Zammit to impress before cutting his roster before the regular season. On the team’s current depth chart, he is listed as the fourth choice at running back and the third choice at kick returner.
Rees-Zammit’s versatility could work in his favour, although the former British and Irish Lions player is still adapting to the sport, based on comments from local Kansas City reporters regarding his running style. They noted that his current strong point is his tackling.
If he fails to make the 53-man roster, Rees-Zammit could find himself on the practice squad, a reserve group that remains attached to the team and can be called up at any time, to continue learning his new craft before making a push to make the Chiefs’ final roster next year.
Elsewhere, Irish kicker Charlie Smyth made a more decisive impact in his debut for the New Orleans Saints, kicking a 39-yard field goal with five seconds remaining to win their game against the Arizona Cardinals.
Smyth is one of only two kickers currently on the Saints’ roster heading into next season along with Blake Grupe, New Orleans’ starter starting in 2023.
