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 The absence of Sam, the first openly gay player to be drafted in
the NFL, brings him a little bit closer to being a man without a
team this season.
He was waived by the Rams on Saturday, and no team picked him up off
waivers. His chances of being employed by the NFL this year
decreased further when the Rams did not sign him to the practice
squad.
The Rams announced linebacker Denicos Allen, wide receiver Emory
Blake, safety Christian Bryant, defensive tackle Matt Conrath,
safety Matt Daniels, quarterback Garrett Gilbert, tackle Sean Hooey,
linebacker Kevin Reddick, wide receiver Justin Veltung and guard
Brandon Washington would be their practice squad signings.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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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The Buffalo Bills named their team captains, but starting quarterback EJ
Manuel was not one of the six players.
Cornerback Corey Graham, running back Fred Jackson, linebacker Brandon
Spikes, defensive tackle Kyle Williams, defensive end Mario Williams and
center Eric Wood were selected by their team mates as captains for the
2014 season.
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New York Giants head coach Tom Coughlin's frustration with oft-injured
rookie wide receiver Odell Beckham boiled over again, when the coach
said Beckham could be three weeks from playing due to a hamstring
injury.
The Giants used the 12th overall pick to add the LSU sprinter. He last
practiced Aug. 19 when he felt his hamstring grab. At the time, the
Giants denied he had a setback. However, Coughlin said he talked to
Beckham recently to say "don't have another setback." (Editing by Gene
Cherry)
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