Chargers Extend Woodhead – NFL Roundup

UNDATED (AP) — Now it starts to get intense for Michael Sam and the rest of the St. Louis Rams rookies.

The first openly gay player drafted in the NFL says he's enthusiastic about the challenge. Twice on Tuesday, he mentioned how enjoyable it was being back on the field and trading wisecracks with teammates.

Sam said he's "so excited to be back with the guys," adding, "Football's fun."

Sam hopes there will be less attention about his sexual orientation, but added his focus has to be on making the team. He said he's in the best shape of his life, dropping 13 pounds in the last month, weighing in at 257 pounds.

In other NFL news:

— Seven former professional football players are challenging a tentative class action settlement of NFL concussion claims. Their appeal echoes their previous complaints that some players won't be fairly compensated under the settlement, which would cover nearly 20,000 retired players for 65 years.

— The San Diego Chargers agreed to a two-year contract extension with running back Danny Woodhead. Woodhead is coming off a career year. He had career highs of 76 catches (second on the team), 605 yards and six touchdowns.