Louis Rees-Zammit given new jersey number and new NFL position by Jacksonville Jaguars

Just a day after signing with Jacksonville , Louis Rees-Zammit has taken to the practice field with new threads and a new number , reflective of his reimagined role in Duval County.

The Welsh speedster is wearing No. 84 and will join the Jaguars' practice squad as a wide receiver, previously listed as a running back by the Chiefs before he was released by the defending Super Bowl champions.

"Louis Rees-Zammit here, just got done signing my contract, can’t wait to see you guys in the UK, you know we got a game in a couple of months so we’re really looking forward it," the former rugby player said in an Instagram reel posted by the JaguarsUK page, ending his video with an emphatic: "DUUUVALL."

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Rees-Zammit was an expected casualty of Tuesday's 53-man roster deadline, struggling to distinguish himself through a month of training camp and three pre-season. Implemented primarily as a running back, Rees-Zammit managed just 22 yards on six carries, 10 of which came on a fourth-quarter rush against the Bears last week, as he faced criticism for indecisive and stiff running.

He was among 21 players that were waived by Kansas City on the infamous "cutdown" day, but despite having a claim to Rees-Zammit's player's rights, the Chiefs elected not to add him to their practice squad, allowing the Welshman to hit the open market. Many perceived this decision as an indictment on Rees-Zammit's prospects in the NFL, and when asked whether the organizations attempted to resign the player, general manager Brett Veach offered an ambivalent answer while praising the former winger's effort.

"We kept it open, we wanted the kid to really look at maybe some different opportunities as well," Veach began. "Pretty remarkable, when you think about a player that doesn't have any pro-American football experience. No middle school, no high school, no big-time college experience. We were kind of thinking about it going through camp, imagine not having any sort of foundational background, just to be thrown in and be doing one-on-one pass-pros with a Drue Tranquill or a Nick Bolton. I mean, that's pretty incredible."

Rees-Zammit's positional change speaks to the versatility that piqued the Chiefs' attention back in January, also hauling in one reception as a receiver this preseason. The Welshman was most effective utilizing his blazing straight-line speed, which previously made him one of the premier young prospects in rugby, on punt coverage and kick-off returns, also a potentially useful player to perform the new-look NFL kick-offs, which may demand more tackling responsibilities.

"I think for him, it'll be just finding out that exact position," Veach said. "Running back, maybe a big slot receiver, I think he does have some potential as a returner. I'm not so sure he couldn't be a kicker. I mean, he had an outstanding leg, and with this new rule, he can do some different things, provide some versatility."