AFP/Los Angeles

Defensive end Michael Sam’s bid to become the first openly gay player in the National Football League (NFL) looked even more remote on Monday when he failed to make the St. Louis Rams’ 10-man practice squad.

Two days after being cut from the Rams’ final 53-man roster for the 2014 regular season, and a day after going unclaimed on wavers by any other NFL team, Sam was still on the outside looking in.

The 6-feet-2 (1.88 m), 260-pound (118 kg) former University of Missouri standout became the first openly gay player to be selected in an NFL Draft when he was taken in the seventh round by the Rams in May.

But despite his success at Missouri, talent evaluators have said he might struggle in the NFL, perhaps too small to play regularly on the defensive line and not athletic enough to play in space as a linebacker.

Of the 10 players signed up by the Rams on Monday for their practice squad, eight had been members of their preseason squad before being cut in final roster moves.

The other two were linebacker Denicos Allen, who spent the preseason with the Carolina Panthers, and fellow linebacker Kevin Reddick, who signed with the New Orleans Saints last year as an undrafted free agent.

After missing the entire preseason recovering from right knee surgery, New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski is ready to return to the field for Sunday’s regular-season opener at Miami.

“Super excited, super pumped. I feel mentally and physically ready, for sure. No doubt about it,” Gronkowski said. “My mentality now is I’m ready to go, I’m ready to be out there, I’m ready to hit, I’m ready to start going.”

Gronkowski said he will most likely wear a brace over the knee but does not plan to change his style of play.

Carolina quarterback Cam Newton returned to the practice field and looked primed and ready for the Panthers opener against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

It was the first time since Newton suffered fractured ribs on Aug. 22 against New England that he had been a full participant in practice. He “showed no limitation” during throwing drills, according to ESPN.

In fact, Newton ran, which he was unable to do last week, between drills. He has started every game since being the first pick in the 2011 NFL Draft.

Denver veteran wide receiver Wes Welker joined his Broncos team mates on the practice field, a good sign that he avoided a long-term setback from a concussion.

Welker still needs to be cleared by doctors before he can play in the season opener against the Indianapolis Colts.

He suffered his third concussion in less than a year when he was hit by D.J. Swearinger during a preseason game against the Houston Texans.

The Chicago Bears signed long snapper Jeremy Cain to their 53-man roster. On Sunday, the Chicago Bears waived long snapper Brandon Hartson after signing him to a three-year contract at the beginning of August.

The Tennessee Titans signed former Kansas City Chiefs kicker Ryan Succop to a one-year contract.

Succop now will face his old team in the regular-season opener Sunday in Kansas City.

 

 

 

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