Report: Michael Sam not one of Rams' 17 cuts on Friday

Defensive end Michael Sam was not one of the Rams' 17 cuts on Friday. The team still has to make five cuts to get their roster to the required 53 players by Saturday's 4 p.m. ET deadline.

Defensive end Michael Sam was not one of the Rams' 17 cuts on Friday, sources told ESPN.com. The team still has to make five cuts to get their roster to the required 53 players by Saturday's 4 p.m. ET deadline.

Sam said after the team's final preseason game on Thursday that he was "very confident" about making an NFL roster.

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"You know what, it's not going to be like the draft," he said. "I'm very confident that I'm going to sleep really well tonight, and I'm very confident I'm going to be on a team, the Rams or any other team in the NFL."

Sam, a seventh-round pick, led the team with six tackles on Thursday. He is attempting to become the first openly gay player to make an NFL roster. If he is cut, he will be placed on waivers and made available to the 31 other teams.

Fellow rookie defensive end Ethan Westbrooks is believed to be Sam's main competition for a roster spot.

- Chris Mascaro