Jordan Petaia’s move to the NFL suffered a setback on Friday with the LA Chargers having waived the former Wallabies back. In a strange twist, the team called up another Australian – a former Australian Schoolboys teammate of Petaia’s.
While Petaia could stay as an injured reserve with the team, the Chargers added Sydney-born Thomas Yassmin.
Petaia did not suit up for the Chargers in their pre-season opener against the Detroit Lions in the Hall of Fame Game last week.
It is a disappointing turn of events for Petaia, who was headhunted by the Chargers as a potential tight end and signed a three-year deal after impressing as part of the league’s International Player Pathway in a 10-week Florida NFL crash course.
Jordan Petaia of Australia looks dejected at full-time following the Rugby World Cup France 2023 match between Australia and Fiji at Stade Geoffroy-Guichard on September 17, 2023 in Saint-Etienne, France. (Photo by Phil Walter/Getty Images)
Yassmin, who spent the 2024 season with the Denver Broncos on their practice squad before being waived earlier this year, told ESPN he was surprised to get the call from the Chargers.
“About 48 hours ago I was actually picking up my missus from the airport in Denver. On the way, I get a call from the Chargers saying ‘hey, so you want to come in for a visit in a few hours?'” Yassmin said.
“I looked at her, because we’re doing long distance, but I said I have to take it, so I literally drove her back [home], packed a day bag, drove straight back to the airport, onto a flight and got in at midnight. Woke up early, did my physicals, had a workout, then got the good news.
“[Today] I got thrown in, coaches have been really good, just kind of guiding me. Obviously I have to learn the playbook, but telling me what to do so I can get out there, get some reps in, listen to the calls – it’s been great.”
Yassmin said replacing Petaia on the Chargers’ roster was “unfortunate” but was happy to see more Australians coming through the International Player Pathway (IPP) system into NFL reckoning.
“I know Jordan, unbelievable guy, we played Aussie Schoolboys together … I think now with the IPP and how it’s working, there’s a lot of Australian talent,” Yassmin told ESPN.
“So I think now it’ll be more of a common thing than it was a couple of years ago. I’m blessed the have the opportunity, it is unfortunate, the circumstances, but I’ll take it when I can.”
The Roarhttps://https://ift.tt/t1XdWJp waived by LA Chargers – and replaced by former Aussie Schoolboys teammate in strange twist
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