Report: Michael Sam goes unclaimed on waivers; Free to sign with practice squad

The St. Louis Rams cut rookie defensive end Michael Sam on Saturday, a move that most people saw coming. Despite how well he performed throughout the preseason, leading the team in tackles, there is just too much depth on the team’s defensive line to warrant keeping him around. Following the release, Sam was placed on waivers, where a team could claim him to an active roster. If that did not happen, he would be free to sign with a practice squad.

More from Los Angeles Rams

• Matthew Stafford is making the Rams pay for their Super Bowl run
• NFL Power Rankings: Who is the best quarterback in each division?
• NFL insider says Rams nearly dealt Matthew Stafford this offseason
• NFL Power Rankings: Which teams will have the best rushing attacks this season?
• NFL Rumors: 49ers quarterback roulette, Mahomes’ fiery hot take, Rams over Seahawks?

Well it seems, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, that no team will be putting him on their active roster, and now he is free to join a practice squad.

Initial reports on Saturday following the release indicated that there is a good chance that the practice squad that he joins will be the Rams. Despite not having a spot for him on the active roster, head coach Jeff Fisher and the rest of the team seemed to genuinely enjoy having him around, and he proved that he’s a good hand to have in the mix.

The Rams and Fisher were the only team to take a chance on the co-SEC Defensive Players of the Year this past May, selecting him in the 7th round of the NFL Draft out of Missouri, thus making him the first openly gay active player in the NFL.