Michael Sam has cleared another hurdle in his quest to become the first openly gay player to play in an NFL regular- season game, as the rookie defensive end remained on the St. Louis Rams' roster after the team made its initial roster cuts on Tuesday.
The Rams needed to make four moves to get to the mandated 75-man limit by Tuesday's deadline. Among them was the placing of starting quarterback Sam Bradford on injured reserve after he re-tore the ACL in his left knee in the club's most recent preseason contest.
Also sent to injured reserve was center Demetrius Rhaney, while defensive end Sammy Brown and safety Matt Daniels were both waived.
Sam, a seventh-round pick in this year's draft who publicly declared his homosexuality prior to February's scouting combine, has made a case to be included on the final roster by recording three sacks through three preseason games.
The 2013 SEC Defensive Player of the Year will know his fate on Saturday, when teams are required to reduce their active rosters to 53 players.
Bradford was hurt on the opening drive of Saturday's 33-14 win over Cleveland after being pressured and hit high by Browns defensive lineman Armonty Bryant. An MRI later confirmed the injury, the same one that sidelined the No. 1 overall pick for the Rams' final nine games of last season.
Veteran Shaun Hill is currently serving as St. Louis' starting quarterback following Bradford's latest mishap.
Daniels had played in six games for the Rams over the previous two seasons, both of which he ended on injured reserve.
[SportsNetwork.com]
