The Dallas Cowboys are set to bring Michael Sam to the practice squad, giving the Missouri standout another chance to become the NFL’s first openly gay player to make a regular season roster.
Michael Sam flew into Dallas Tuesday night and will take a physical for the Cowboys on Wednesday, a source told ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter. As long as Sam passes his physical, he is expected to be added to the team’s practice squad Wednesday morning.
“It’s been a roller coaster this past week, but I’m happy where I’m at now,” Sam told MailOnline . “I’m just looking forward to being a Cowboy, my focus is on making the team.”
Despite a strong preseason performance that included 11 tackles and three sacks, Sam was cut by the St. Louis Rams, who have considerable depth at defensive end. Sam was selected in the seventh round, with the No. 249 overall pick.
After clearing waivers, Sam had to wait to find out his NFL fate, but within days the Cowboys showed interest and brought him in.
“It has all happened so quickly, but it’s exciting, I just wanna get back to playing football you know,” Sam said. “I haven’t had chance to speak to any of my family yet, not even my mom, but I will. I never followed the Cowboys growing up because I never had a team. I am a fan of defenses, and Dallas need some help, that’s why I’m going.”
Sam could provide some much-needed help to the Dallas Cowboys, who just lost rookie defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence for the year after breaking his foot in training camp. The team signed defensive end Jack Crawford, a cut from the Oakland Raiders, to fill in for Lawrence but are in need of depth at the position.
If he is promoted to the full roster, Michael Sam would become the first openly gay player on an NFL regular season roster. The University of Missouri standout came out to teammates before his senior year, and came out publicly after the season ended.
