Louis Rees-Zammit made his debut for the Kansas City Chiefs in a preseason loss against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Saturday, seven months later your last rugby union game to Gloucester.
The 23-year-old former Wales winger was used in a variety of ways by the Chiefs in their 26-13 loss at Jacksonville, with Rees-Zammit playing running back on offense but also on special teams as part of the starting unit.
Rees-Zammit finished with two runs for one yard, and also caught the only pass thrown his way for three yards.
He also contributed on special teams by making a tackle, while also taking one of the opening kickoffs himself in the fourth quarter, which went 56 yards according to game statistics.
Rees-Zammit later told ‘The Irish NFL Show’: “I loved it. I loved receiving the photos I took, on special teams too. I just have to look back and review, see how I can improve.
“I got a kick out of it, being able to play on a special team is incredible, exploring my skills. I’m happy and I can see how I can improve. The atmosphere was great, quite electric in the stadium, lots of Chiefs fans who helped enormously. I’m looking forward to the next one.”
Kansas City still has two more preseason games against the Detroit Lions and Chicago Bears for Rees-Zammit to impress before trimming its roster to 53 players ahead of the regular season. On the team’s current depth chart, he is listed as the fourth-choice running back and third-choice kick returner.
Rees-Zammit’s versatility could work to his advantage although the former British and Irish Lions Tourist is still naturally adapting to the sport, based on comments made by local Kansas City reporters about his running style, who noted that his tackling was currently his strong point.
If he fails to make the 53-man squad, Rees-Zammit could end up on the team’s practice squad, a reserve group that remains tied to the team and can be called up at any time, to continue learning his new craft before making an effort. to make the Chiefs final roster next year.
Elsewhere, Irish kicker Charlie Smyth had a more decisive impact in his debut for the New Orleans Saints, nailing a 39-yard field goal with five seconds left to win the game against the Arizona Cardinals.
Smyth is one of only two kickers currently on the Saints roster ahead of next season, along with New Orleans’ 2023 starter Blake Grupe.
