NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) — Michael Sam reportedly had a powerful ally working behind the scenes after he was cut by Rams over the weekend.

While Sam was unemployed, the NFL worked to gauge interest in the defensive end, according to football insider Peter King. Sam became the league’s first openly gay player when he was drafted in the seventh round by St. Louis.

“During that time, a league official contacted multiple teams asking if they had evaluated Sam as a probable practice squad player,” King said during Thursday’s broadcast of the season opener between Seattle and Green Bay.

“Sam and the NFL avoided a nightmare situation when he signed with the practice squad of the Dallas Cowboys,” King added.