By Zim Sport Live Writer
Former Zimbabwe rugby international T.J. Maguranyanga has been released by the Washington Commanders after reaching an injury settlement with the NFL team.
The 23-year-old had been placed on the Commanders’ injured reserve earlier last week after an undisclosed injury.
An injury settlement allows Maguranyanga to leave the team’s injured list and become a free agent once he has recovered, meaning he will be able to sign and play for another NFL team.
Maguranyanga joined the NFL in 2025 through the league’s International Player Pathway Programme, which provides opportunities for players from outside the United States to pursue professional careers in American football.
The Zimbabwe-born player will now focus on his recovery before looking for another opportunity in the NFL once he is fit to return to action.
Maguranyanga played wing in rugby, which is similar to wide receiver or running back. But he was trying to use the physicality he developed through rugby to play defense in the NFL.
Last season, he played in one game for the Commanders. During that contest, which was Week 13 versus the Denver Broncos, Maguranyanga played 11 snaps on defense.
The NFL established its IPP program in 2017 with the aim of growing the popularity of American football across the world. Through the program, young men across different continents are getting opportunities to play football for the first time.
While raw talent, those prospects have athletic traits either undeveloped or previously used in other sports. The latter was the case with Maguranyanga.
The NFL established its IPP program in 2017 with the aim of growing the popularity of American football across the world. Through the program, young men across different continents are getting opportunities to play football for the first time.
While raw talent, those prospects have athletic traits either undeveloped or previously used in other sports. The latter was the case with Maguranyanga.
Before signing with the Commanders, Maguranyanga, who was born in Harare, Zimbabwe, never wore pads or took part in a full-contact American football practice.
“It’s definitely a big adjustment,” Maguranyanga said after his first padded practice with the Commanders in July 2025. “It’s still just as physical as rugby, but just in a different way.
“With pads, you can manipulate and get manipulated in different ways than you can in rugby. So just adjusting to that and getting used to that is a big change.”
IPP players are exempt from occupying a roster spot. That distinct advantage allows them to remain with clubs for a long time — years in some cases — to develop.
Unfortunately for Maguranyanga, his tenure with the Commanders has ended. But he’s likely to get another shot when healthy because of the roster exemption.
In his lone game with the Commanders, Maguranyanga made one tackle.