Defensive end Michael Sam, the first openly gay athlete ever drafted by an NFL team, cleared waivers after being released Saturday by the St. Louis Rams and became a free agent. The Rams appeared unlikely to re-sign Sam to the practice squad because the defensive line is a team strength. Oakland claimed defensive end Benson Mayowa off waivers from the Seahawks and waived/injured linebacker Kaelin Burnett, who had a knee injury. The 6-foot-3, 252-pound lineman had three solo tackles, including two behind the line of scrimmage, against the Raiders in the preseason finale Thursday. New England traded backup quarterback Ryan Mallett to Houston for a conditional draft pick, meaning rookie second-round pick Jimmy Garoppolo will be the Patriots' backup to Tom Brady.