>>Michael Sam Not Added To Rams Practice Squad
(St. Louis, MO) -- Michael Sam is free to sign with any team in the NFL. Sam was cut by the St. Louis Rams over the weekend and was also left off their 10-man practice squad. He was drafted by the Rams in the seventh round of this year's NFL Draft, making him the first openly gay player in NFL history. Sam recorded 11 tackles and three sacks in four preseason games with the Rams.
>>Rams Claim Keenum
(St. Louis, MO) -- The Rams are adding depth to the quarterback position. St. Louis claimed Case Keenum off waivers from the Texans. He was released after Houston acquired Ryan Mallett from the Patriots in a trade over the weekend. Keenum started eight games last season throwing for 1,760 yards, nine touchdowns and six interceptions. St. Louis is starting Shaun Hill under center after they lost Sam Bradford for the season.
>>Texans Ink Watt To Long Term Deal
(Houston, TX) -- Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt is getting his wish. Houston signed the two-time Pro Bowler to a long-term deal on Monday night. The "Houston Chronicle" reports the contract is worth 100-million-dollars over six years with nearly 52-million-dollars guaranteed. Watt becomes the highest-paid defensive player in the NFL, passing former Texan Mario Williams' deal of 96-million-dollars. The Wisconsin product had expressed his interest in staying with Houston during the preseason. The 25-year-old was taken 11th overall by the Texans in the 2011 draft and has racked up 36-and-a-half sacks during his tenure.
>>Carr Gets Starting Call For Raiders
(Oakland, CA) -- Oakland Raiders coach Dennis Allen says rookie Derek Carr is his starting quarterback for Sunday's opener against the Jets. Carr made one start during the preseason and threw for 326 yards and four touchdowns with one interception in the four games. The rookie completed 11-of-13 passes against Seattle last week and found the end zone three times. The Fresno State product beat out Matt Schaub for the position, who the team acquired via trade from Houston in the off-season. The Raiders took Carr in the second round of the draft and he was the fourth quarterback taken overall.
>>49ers Alex Boone Ending Contract Holdout
(Santa Clara, CA) -- The San Francisco 49ers and guard Alex Boone have reportedly agreed to terms on a revamped two-year contract. Multiple sources say Boone is ending his holdout after missing all of training camp, and may be ready to see some game action when the team opens its regular season Sunday in Dallas. The 49ers have reportedly reworked Boone's existing contract that would have paid him about three-point-seven million dollars this year and again in 2015. Instead, Boone will make closer to six-million-dollars in each of the next two seasons.
>>Gronkowski Cleared To Start Season
(Foxborough, MA) -- When the New England Patriots take the field to begin the 2014 season, tight end Rob Gronkowski says he will be "good to go." Gronkowski underwent surgery last January to repair a torn ACL in his right knee. He did not suit up the entire preseason. Gronkowski says he will likely wear a brace over the knee. In seven games last season "Gronk" caught 39 passes for 592 yards and four touchdowns. The Pats open up the season on the road against the Miami Dolphins on September 7th.
