Michael Sam Returns to Montreal Alouettes: Latest Details, Comments, Reaction

Nearly two weeks after leaving the Montreal Alouettes, Michael Sam returned to the Canadian Football League team.

According to Herb Zurkowsky of the Montreal Gazette, Sam is expected to take part in team meetings and practice starting next week: "As for Sam, he was in Montreal on Wednesday with injured linebacker Kyries Hebert and has a locker at Olympic Stadium. He's expected at team meetings this Sunday and at practice the following day."

Sam confirmed that he was back with the team on Saturday:

This is the latest step in what's been an odd monthlong saga. Sam, who spent time last season with the St. Louis Rams and Dallas Cowboys despite not playing in a regular-season game, signed with the Alouettes on May 22.

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On June 15, the team announced in a statement, via Tom Pelissero of USA Today, that Sam left training camp for personal reasons:

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With all due respect for Michael Sam, the nature of this decision will remain confidential. The Montreal Alouettes fully respect Michael Sam's decision and rally around him to offer him all time and support needed. The team has left the door open and Michael is welcome to come back whenever he feels ready.

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Now, the 2013 SEC Co-Defensive Player of the Year will be back playing football again. Sam may not get a chance to play in the NFL, but the 25-year-old needs to build up game tape in a professional league to earn another shot.

Sam failed to impress in the 2014 combine, and it was more of the same in the first-ever veteran combine in 2015. In fact, according to TMZ, one big-time NFL agent said, "My real honest opinion is that he was flat-out horrible. He did not belong out there."

The CFL provides Sam with the opportunity he needs to impress an NFL squad and earn a tryout. He was able to take care of his personal issue and appears ready to begin the next step of his football journey.