Report: Jaguars 'close' to signing former rugby star

The Jaguars are “close” to signing running back Louis Rees-Zammit, per NFL reporter Jordan Schultz.

ESPN’s Tom Hamilton reported that Rees-Zammit is set to join Jacksonville’s practice squad.

Through the NFL’s International Player Pathway program, Rees-Zammit signed with Kansas City in March but was waived during the Chiefs’ Tuesday preseason roster cuts.

Rees-Zammit, a 23-year-old native of Wales, transitioned to American football after starring in rugby as a winger for The Cathedral School — Llandaff, Hartpury College, the professional Gloucester Rugby Union, the Wales national team and the British & Irish Lions.

“I achieved everything I wanted to in rugby,” Rees-Zammit told The Athletic about his journey to the NFL in May, “so I thought now was the perfect time.”

Standing at 6-foot-2, 209 pounds at the NFL IPP pro day in March, Rees-Zammit clocked a 4.43-second 40-yard dash, a 20-inch vertical jump and a 115-inch broad jump during athletic testing.

Rees-Zammit logged six rushes for 22 yards, one reception for three yards and two kickoff returns with an average of 31.5 yards per return attempt with the Chiefs in his first NFL preseason.

Should Rees-Zammit sign with Jacksonville, he would be a candidate to replace tight end Patrick Murtagh as the Jaguars’ IPP-designated player for the 2024 season.

Murtagh was waived with an injury designation Tuesday after suffering an ankle injury that required surgery during Jacksonville’s training camp. He has since reverted to the Jaguars’ injured reserve and is out for the season.

“We’ll rehab [Murtagh] and try to get him ready for next year,” Jaguars general manager Trent Baalke said Tuesday. “That opens up a spot. We can now have another [International Player Pathway program player].”