The Detroit Lions have signed USA rugby international Carlin Isles to their practice squad.

The 24-year-old played gridiron football in college, but made the switch to rugby last year, before representing America in the IRB Sevens World Series.

Head coach Jim Schwartz told reporters: "Indianapolis has [former Kenya Under-21 rugby player Daniel Adongo] as a pass rusher, and I know San Fran brought [British discus record holder Lawrence Okoye] in that was a shot-putter or a discus guy.

"I mean, you're looking for athletes. It hasn't been unusual to see basketball players transition to the NFL. That's not just recently, that goes way back. Even track guys like Bob Hayes and Renaldo Nehemiah, things like that.

"An athlete's an athlete. There's skills that you can develop, and if you see something you like then you can work with him."

Isles, who was also an athletics record holder during his college years, has frequently been dubbed the fastest man in American rugby.