IRVING, Texas — Michael Sam's second chance will be with the Dallas Cowboys.

Coach Jason Garrett said Wednesday that the NFL's first openly gay player will be added to the Cowboys' practice roster.

The Cowboys, who are seeking help with their pass rush because of injuries and the offseason release of franchise sacks leader DeMarcus Ware, added Sam four days after he was released by St. Louis when teams had to cut their rosters to 53 players.

Sam isn't likely to be on the active roster for Sunday's season opener against San Francisco.

Any team can sign Sam off the Cowboys' practice squad, but would have to put him on the 53-man roster for a minimum of four weeks.

NEW YORK — The family of Junior Seau has opted out of a proposed NFL legal settlement with former players over concussion-related injuries.The family will continue its wrongful death lawsuit against the league. Seau, a star linebacker for 20 seasons who made 11 Pro Bowls, committed suicide in 2012.More than 4,500 former players have filed a class action suit against the league, some accusing it of fraud for its handling of concussions. They include Hall of Fame running back Tony Dorsett and Super Bowl-winning Chicago Bears quarterback Jim McMahon, who suffers from dementia. A federal judge preliminarily approved the league's settlement proposal in July, which could exceed $675 million in total damages and involve as many as 20,000 retired players.Former players and their families have the option to skip the settlement and pursue their own lawsuits. That's what Seau's family has done one month before the deadline to opt out.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Toronto pitcher R.A. Dickey was struck on the head by a line drive off the bat of Tampa Bay's Evan Longoria during batting practice Wednesday before a game against the Rays.Dickey returned to the Blue Jays clubhouse and wasn't injured, club spokesman Mal Romanin said.The 2012 NL Cy Young Award winner was loosening up in left field and facing away from the plate when hit on the side of the head, according to several witnesses.The 39-year-old knuckleballer is 11-12 with a 3.94 ERA.

SUNRISE, Fla. — The Florida Panthers and No. 1 overall draft pick Aaron Ekblad have agreed on a three-year entry-level contract.Panthers general manager Dale Tallon announced the deal Wednesday, eight days before Ekblad will begin competing at Florida's annual camp for prospects. Ekblad was the Ontario Hockey League's top defenseman last season, with 23 goals and 53 points.Ekblad also attended Hockey Canada's world junior summer development camp last month, his stay there ending early because of a concussion. Ekblad was held out of the rest of that camp for precautionary reasons.