The New England Patriots reported for training camp on Wednesday, but Nate Ebner was not with them.
Ebner, a safety and a special-teams player, took a leave of absence to play for the United States rugby team at the Olympics in Rio.
“It’s a great opportunity for him to follow his passion, participate in the Olympic Games,” Patriots Coach Bill Belichick said. “We’re pulling for him to bring back something around his neck.”
Ebner played rugby during his first two years at Ohio State before walking onto the football team as a junior. He was selected by the Patriots in the sixth round of the 2012 draft and has appeared in 57 N.