Pats safety Nate Ebner selected to U.S. rugby team for Rio Olympics

New England Patriots safety Nate Ebner has become the only active NFL player selected to qualify for the Rio Olympics and represent USA Rugby, according to his agent Sean Stellato.

Ebner took a leave of absence from the Patriots in May to begin his training. He is scheduled to rejoin the Patriots after the Aug. 6-11 Olympic rugby competition.

Ebner was an All-America rugby player at Ohio State before the Patriots selected him in the sixth round of the 2012 draft.

The Patriots re-signed Ebner, who was unrestricted free agent, to a two-year contract in May. Financial terms were not disclosed.

Former Detroit Lions running back Jahvid Best is set to participate in the summer Olympic Games after being approved to represent St. Lucia in track and field next month in Rio.

Information from ESPN's Adam Schefter was used in this report.