Sports | Dallas Cowboys Cowboys Pick Up Michael Sam He joins practice roster in home state By Newser Editors and Wire Services Posted Sep 3, 2014 11:21 AM CDT Copied Former Missouri player Michael Sam watches pregame festivities before the start of the South Dakota State-Missouri NCAA college football game on Aug. 30, 2014, in Columbia, Mo. (L.G. Patterson) Michael Sam's second chance will be with the Dallas Cowboys. Coach Jason Garrett said today that the league's first openly gay player will be added to the practice roster. "We just want to give him a chance to come in and help our football team," Garrett said. "That's where our attention is—[football]. What people say outside the organization is up to them." Being on the Dallas roster means Sam is returning to his home state. The Cowboys, who are seeking help with their pass rush because of injuries and the offseason release of franchise sacks leader DeMarcus Ware, added Sam four days after he was released by St. Louis when teams had to cut rosters to 53 players. Sam isn't likely to be on the active roster for Sunday's opener against San Francisco. Any team can sign Sam off the Cowboys practice squad but would have to put him on the 53-man roster for a minimum of four weeks. Read These Next Miami-Dade may have made a $400 million mistake. Judge rules '86-47' flag is no threat. Clint Eastwood's son has some big news, in case you missed it. Store owner who chased, shot Black teen in back found not guilty. Report an error