Former England rugby union international Christian Wade has failed to make the final cut for the Buffalo Bills after he was left out of their final 53-man roster for the new NFL season.
The 28-year-old, who quit Premiership side Wasps to forge a career in the NFL last October, looked to have improved his chances of securing a place when he scored a terrific 65-yard touchdown with his first ever carry in the Bills' 24-16 pre-season win over the Indianapolis Colts.
Wade also produced a scintillating catch-and-run during another Bills pre-season game, but despite these efforts he's not quite made the grade as teams from around the NFL made their final roster announcements.
However, he was named as one of the 31 players to be released from the final roster on Saturday evening, and now enters waivers where other teams can pick up the former England wing.
🏈 With his FIRST touch in the @NFL - former @EnglandRugby star @ChristianWade3 did this for the Buffalo Bills...
— Sporting Life (@SportingLife) August 9, 2019
🔥 65-yard touchdown run!#NFLPreseason #Bills pic.twitter.com/wUqOQYqwme
If Wade, who joined the NFL as part of the International Player Pathway programme which allowed him to train the Bills since July, is not signed onto another team's roster then he could rejoin Buffalo's 10-man practice squad, which is expected to happen.
That means Wade would continue to train with the Bills and would be eligible to play for them or join another NFL team.
Another option for the former British and Irish Lion could be to be the Bills' exempt 11th member, where he would be restricted to only train with the team and could not sign for another NFL franchise.
Christian Wade is at it again! Looks like he's played #NFL all his life, must be making this @buffalobills team this season...@ChristianWade3pic.twitter.com/KF3k3XcOlH
— Paul Higham (@SportsPaulH) August 17, 2019
