Jason Garrett: 'Michael Sam can compete for roster spot'

Dallas Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett believes that defensive end Michael Sam has an excellent chance to compete for a roster spot on his side after being signed to the practice squad.

The Cowboys added Sam to the 10-man squad on Wednesday following his release by the St Louis Rams on Saturday as part of their roster cutdown ahead of the 2014 campaign.

Garrett told reporters: "We feel like he has a chance to come in at a position that we've tried to address really throughout the off-season, throughout training camp and compete for a spot.

"It's also a great opportunity for us to develop personnel and evaluate personnel, and this is not new and different for us.

"We're bringing a player in we want to see on the practice field. We've got nothing but good reports about him from our people and people in St. Louis. We just want to give him a chance to come in and see if he can help our football team."

Sam made history earlier in the year when he became the first openly gay player in the NFL after being drafted by the Rams.