The Montreal Alouettes have placed defensive end Michael Sam on their suspended list after the player left the club's practice sessions for personal reasons.

Sam was signed by the CFL side last month in an attempt to revive his career after his spell in the NFL was cut short after being released by the Dallas Cowboys and the St Louis Rams last season.

However, the 25-year-old has left the Alouettes to return home, and the club have admitted that they are unsure whether he will return.

"He wanted to go home, and that's what he did. I don't know why," general manager Jim Popp told the Montreal Gazette. "When a guy wants to go home, they go home. He had some personal things to take care of.

"I wouldn't be surprised if he returns. I'm surprised he left. I was very surprised. If he doesn't come back, I would think football's over for him. He's the one that has to face that. But I don't think he doesn't want to play football. That's why he came here."

Sam became the first openly gay player in the NFL when he was selected by the Rams in the seventh round of the 2014 Draft.