Chargers Waive Aussie Jordan Petaia, Sign Thomas Yassmin

Jordan Petaia's NFL career with the Los Angeles Chargers has been abruptly halted due to a hamstring injury that led to him being waived less than two weeks into the preseason. Petaia, a former Wallaby and 31-Test rugby player, had signed a three-year deal with the Chargers through the NFL's International Player Pathway (IPP) program after turning down lucrative rugby offers. In his place, the Chargers have signed fellow Australian Thomas Yassmin, also an IPP graduate, who previously spent time on the Denver Broncos practice squad and played college football at the University of Utah. While Petaia could still be retained on injured reserve or picked up by another NFL team, this injury represents a significant setback to his NFL ambitions. Yassmin now has an opportunity to compete for a roster spot on a Chargers team featuring quarterback Justin Herbert and other notable offensive talent. This move highlights the challenges and competitiveness for international players transitioning into the NFL through the IPP program.