COWBOYS
Sam to visit today
The Dallas Cowboys will host Michael Sam at Valley Ranch today, according to sources. The defensive end will take a physical, and the Cowboys expect to sign him to the practice squad if all goes well during his visit.
Sam became the first openly gay NFL player to be drafted when the St. Louis Rams selected him in the seventh round. He had three sacks and 11 tackles in the preseason, but the Rams cut Sam on Saturday. Their 10-player practice squad did not include Sam.
The Cowboys, who had 35 sacks last season, have been in desperate need of pass rushers after losing defensive tackle Jason Hatcher and defensive end DeMarcus Ware in the offseason. Defensive end Anthony Spencer still is a "couple" of weeks away from a return from microfracture knee surgery. Rookie defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence went on short-term injured reserve Tuesday, making him ineligible to practice for six weeks and forcing him to sit out the first eight games.
Dallas made the signing of former Oakland Raiders defensive end Jack Crawford official Tuesday after trading for Lavar Edwards on Sunday, but neither is a proven pass-rusher, which would give Sam a chance to play his way onto the 53-player roster.
The Cowboys' six defensive ends have a combined 62 1/2 career sacks, with three having none. Spencer has 32 1/2, Jeremy Mincey 20 and George Selvie 10.
Sam, 6-2, 255 pounds, had 11 1/2 sacks and 19 tackles for loss last season at Missouri and was the SEC's defensive player of the year. He had 32 1/2 career sacks at Missouri.
The Cowboys filled out their practice squad Tuesday by signing offensive tackle John Wetzel and defensive back Jemea Thomas. They would have to release one of the 10 players on the practice squad before signing Sam.
Practice squad players will make $6,300 per week this season, including the bye week.
SAINTS
Graham re-signed
METAIRIE, La. -- The New Orleans Saints have re-signed place kicker Shayne Graham, who had been with the club since late last season and throughout training camp before being cut Saturday.
In a corresponding move to keep the roster at the regular season maximum of 53 players, the Saints have waived reserve quarterback Ryan Griffin.
The Saints had two kickers on the roster throughout training camp, with Graham, a 13-year veteran, competing with Derek Dimke, a second-year pro out of Illinois who hasn't kicked in a regular season game. Both kickers made all of their field goals in the preseason. Graham missed one extra point in the preseason opener from 32 yards.
The Saints have yet to explain the moves, which were posted on the NFL's transactions wire Tuesday evening.
CHIEFS
Coleman picked up
KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- The Kansas City Chiefs signed veteran safety Kurt Coleman on Tuesday and placed linebacker Joe Mays on injured reserve with a designation to return.
Coleman made 29 starts and appeared in 59 games over four seasons in Philadelphia, three of those under current Chiefs Coach Andy Reid. He was released by the Vikings during the final round of cuts Saturday after spending the offseason and training camp with them.
Mays had surgery to repair damage in his wrist that he sustained during a preseason game. The veteran linebacker, who has played in 61 games over the course of six seasons, was being counted on to start alongside Derrick Johnson in the middle of the Chiefs' defense.
Kansas City opens the regular season Sunday against Tennessee.
BEARS
Wilson on injured reserve
LAKE FOREST, Ill. -- The Chicago Bears have placed receiver Marquess Wilson on injured reserve with a designation to return this season and signed cornerback Kelvin Hayden.
The moves were announced Tuesday.
Wilson, who appeared in 10 games last season, broke his collarbone in training camp. He will miss the first eight weeks and will not be eligible to play until Nov. 9, when the Bears visit Green Bay after their bye.
With Wilson out, the Bears brought in veteran Santonio Holmes. He figures to be the No. 3 receiver.
Hayden was released by the Bears on Saturday as they trimmed their roster to 53. He missed last season because of a torn hamstring after appearing in 16 games in 2012.
JETS
Allen to play in opener
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- New York Jets safety Antonio Allen has been medically cleared after suffering a concussion Aug. 22 and said he has been told he will start at cornerback in the regular-season opener against the Oakland Raiders.
Allen played linebacker and safety in college at South Carolina, but he has been working at cornerback this summer with the Jets because of injuries and instability at the position. Allen, in his third season, would be making his first NFL start at cornerback Sunday.
It was still unclear whether second-year cornerback Dee Milliner's high ankle sprain would be healed in time for him to play. If he can't go, career backup Darrin Walls could end up starting opposite Allen.
The Jets will be taking on Raiders rookie quarterback Derek Carr at MetLife Stadium.
49ERS
Coach addresses McDonald
SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- Coach Jim Harbaugh spoke out Tuesday morning against domestic violence while also cautioning any rush to judgment on 49ers defensive tackle Ray McDonald, who was arrested early Sunday for felony domestic violence.
"There's going to be two principles at play here," Harbaugh said on the radio Tuesday. "One is, I'll speak for myself and I'll speak for the 49ers, we'll not tolerate domestic violence. The second principle is going to be: We're firm believers in due process, and I ask for your understanding in those two principles."
Harbaugh said he would not want any person guilty of such deeds to play on his team.
McDonald, who turned 30 on Tuesday, was hosting a party at his home in San Jose's Silver Creek neighborhood when San Jose police arrived at 2:48 a.m. Sunday. According to police-dispatch audio, McDonald's fiancee claimed he was "hitting her" and "was trying to pull her out of the house. She's 10 weeks pregnant and refusing medical."
McDonald was booked into Santa Clara County jail at 5:30 a.m., and he was released six hours later after posting $25,000 bail. His first court date is Sept. 15.
BILLS
Felder released
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. -- The Buffalo Bills have reached an injury settlement and released cornerback Bobby Felder.
Felder had been sidelined by a groin injury for part of training camp and placed on the team's reserve/injured list last week.
The Bills also announced the signing of tight end D.J. Tialavea to round out their 10-player practice squad. The undrafted rookie signed with Jacksonville this offseason before being cut by the Jaguars last week.
Tialavea is listed at 6-foot-4 and 260 pounds.
The Bills lack depth at tight end with Lee Smith's status uncertain because of a toe injury. That leaves Buffalo with only two healthy tight ends, starter Scott Chandler and backup Chris Gragg, in preparing to open the season at Chicago on Sunday.
Sports on 09/03/2014