The biggest story of the NFL offseason is heading to Big D.
Cowboys owner/general manager Jerry Jones has intensified the team’s always bright spotlight, bringing Michael Sam to Dallas, where the former Missouri star will take a physical on Wednesday, according to multiple reports.
If Sam passes the physical, the seventh-round draft pick, who was released by the St. Louis Rams on Saturday and became a free agent after going unclaimed on waivers, is expected to sign with the Cowboys and join their practice squad.
Hoping to become the first openly gay person to play in the NFL, Sam’s future in football had been uncertain, despite having had a strong debut preseason, in which he recorded a team-high six tackles against the Dolphins on Thursday and registered three sacks overall.
Considered an undersized, specialized pass-rusher, Sam remained confident after being left off the 53-man roster that he would earn a spot on another team.
“I look forward to continuing to build on the progress I made here toward a long and successful career,” Sam tweeted after being cut.
With solid depth on its defensive line, St. Louis viewed Sam as expendable, but an injury on Dallas’ injury-and-suspension-thinned defense could open up an opportunity for the rookie to see the field.
“Mike’s got the ability to play someplace,” Rams coach Jeff Fisher said after Sam was released. “It’s got to be the right place, it’s got to be a fit. He’s a much better player now than he was when he got here.”
As last year’s co-SEC Defensive Player of the Year waited for an NFL team to show interest, multiple organizations looked to capitalize on Sam’s fame. Since his release, Sam was contacted by the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League and was invited to be part of the WWE’s episode of RAW next Monday.