NFL Rumors: Rugby Star Louis Rees-Zammit to Sign Jaguars Contract After Chiefs Exit

Welsh rugby star Louis Rees-Zammit is "close" to finalizing a deal with the Jacksonville Jaguars, NFL insider Jordan Schultz reported.

Rees-Zammit signed with the Kansas City Chiefs in March and trained as a kickoff specialist and returner before he was cut on Tuesday.

Rees-Zammit appeared in three preseason games for the Chiefs, recording six carries for 22 yards and one reception for three yards.

He made his NFL preseason debut on Aug. 10 against the Jaguars, which he called "a great first experience."

"I loved it, I loved getting the snaps I did, on special teams as well, which was great," Rees-Zammit said after the Chiefs' loss (h/t BBC.com.) "I've just got to look back on this, review it and see how I can get better."

Rees-Zammit, 23, established himself as a rugby star at wing and fullback for both Gloucester Rugby and the Welsh national team.

He announced in January that he would be stepping away from the sport, but "not necessarily retiring," in order to seek an NFL roster spot.

Rees-Zammit went on to sign a three-year deal with the Chiefs in March on a roster spot designated by the International Player Pathway program.

He was listed as the team's fifth running back on the Chiefs' first unofficial depth chart behind Isiah Pacheco, Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Deneric Prince and Keaontay Ingram.

Prince and Ingram were eventually cut, while Pacheco, Edwards-Helaire and undrafted free agent Carson Steele made the 53-man roster in Kansas City.

Instead of pursuing a spot among the 17 players designated to the Chiefs' practice squad, Rees-Zammit will now continue his pursuit of a spot on the 53-man roster in Jacksonville.

The former rugby star will face a steep path to the NFL roster as he joins a crowded running back room staffed by Travis Etienne, Tank Bigsby and D'Ernest Johnson. Keilan Robinson also made the Jaguars' 53-man roster, although he will start the season on the injured reserve.