Louis Rees-Zammit's bid to make it in American Football has suffered a major setback

The former Wales rugby star might have already received a hint about his future with the team.

It appears that the No. 9 jersey, which was initially handed to Rees-Zammit has been secured by new recruit JuJu Smith-Schuster, potentially impacting Rees-Zammit’s chances of making the final cut.

The 23-year-old could find himself on the practice squad, which is comprised of 17 reserve players who can be promoted to the active roster at any time.

Players on the practice squad are also eligible to be signed by other teams. Alternatively, Rees-Zammit might be given an international exemption roster spot, allowing him to stay with the Chiefs without being included in the main 53-man roster.

Rees-Zammit showcased his skills in the Chiefs' final pre-season game against the Chicago Bears last Thursday, delivering an impressive performance with four carries for 21 yards and a kickoff return for 36 yards.

The Chiefs are expected to confirm Rees-Zammit's role for the upcoming season today..

The NFL regular season is set to begin on Thursday, September 5, with the Kansas City Chiefs hosting the Baltimore Ravens at Arrowhead Stadium. The game will kick off at 7:20 pm local time (1:20 am UK time), making it a late-night event for UK viewers on Friday, September 6.

Will Rees-Zammit be part of the Chiefs' opening game? We'll find out today.

But it's not just his professional life making headlines. Rees-Zammit's personal life has also been a hot topic, featuring relationships with high-profile personalities, from a Premier League legend's daughter to a famous YouTuber and a notable model/DJ.

In December 2019, before his international debut for Wales, Rees-Zammit posted a photo of himself playing for Gloucester. Alicia Scholes, daughter of football legend Paul Scholes, humorously suggested an England debut was imminent, despite Rees-Zammit’s Welsh roots. He firmly replied, "Wales*".

In a BBC interview, Rees-Zammit spoke about his past relationship with Alicia, a professional netball player for London Pulse. He revealed the light-hearted attempts by her father to sway him towards England, which he steadfastly resisted.

Alicia and her father Paul found themselves in the spotlight in 2021 due to a viral video that led to playful banter among rival supporters.

Following his NFL trial day, Rees-Zammit ended his relationship with influencer Saffron Barker. The couple had gone public after the Rugby World Cup, but their relationship faced challenges with his move to the US.

Saffron addressed the breakup on social media, expressing gratitude for the support from her fans and hinting at a positive future.

She wrote to her fans: "Hi everyone. I have so much exciting news to update you on, and I promise to keep you all posted on that."

"For now though I wanted to address some of the questions re my relationship. Whilst I won't be going into any detail, I am no longer in a relationship. I am fully focused on my well-being, wonderful family, & career," she further commented. Saffron continued in the recent post:

"I want to thank all of the incredible people who have sent me messages of love & strength over the past few weeks. I have read every single one & I can't tell you how much it has meant to me."

Saffron - who has more than two million subscribers on her YouTube channel - concluded by writing: "I know good things come to good people so I hold onto the hope that 2024 is going to be a positive year for me. Lots of love."

Recently single, Rees-Zammit has been spotted with Sports Illustrated model and TikTok sensation Xandra Pohl. The pair were seen enjoying a day out at Worlds of Fun amusement park in Kansas City, sparking rumors of a new romance.

Xandra, a successful DJ who has played at high-profile venues including Ushuaia Ibiza, is set to perform at Lollapalooza in Chicago this summer.

Alongside his new relationship, Rees-Zammit has also been embracing the Kansas City lifestyle, attending Travis Kelce's 'Kelce Jam' festival and sporting a new ear piercing.

As Louis Rees-Zammit continues to make waves both on and off the field, his journey in the NFL is one to watch closely.

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