NFL: Former Rams Case Keenum and T.J. McDonald sign with Vikings and Dolphins

Two players who started for the Rams last season — quarterback Case Keenum and safety T.J. McDonald — signed free-agent contracts with other teams on Friday.

Keenum signed with the Minnesota Vikings, according to several reports. McDonald, who must serve an eight-game suspension handed down by the NFL, signed with the Miami Dolphins.

The Rams, under new Coach Sean McVay, had not sought to re-sign either player.

Keenum, 29, started the first nine games for the Rams in 2016 and passed for nine touchdowns, with 11 interceptions, before he was supplanted by Jared Goff, the No. 1 pick in the 2016 NFL draft.

Keenum is expected to serve as Vikings starter Sam Bradford’s backup. Former starter Teddy Bridgewater is recovering from knee surgery. Keenum signed a one-year contract worth $2 million, according to ESPN.

McDonald, 26, was suspended Wednesday for violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy. He reportedly signed a one-year contract with the Dolphins.

McDonald, the Rams’ third-round pick out of USC in 2013, was arrested last May after a traffic accident in Woodland Hills. He was charged with one misdemeanor count of driving under the influence of drugs. In January, he pleaded guilty to reckless driving involving drugs or alcohol, what is commonly known as a “wet reckless.”

“I’ve just got to be hungry, stay clean and be open and honest about everything, and make sure that this doesn’t happen in the future,” McDonald, who started 53 games for the Rams, told the Associated Press on Friday. “My back is up against the wall. I’m just happy to be able to move forward with this, and to be able to just get back to playing ball.”

— Gary Klein

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The Dolphins also Friday released defensive end Dion Jordan, solidifying his status as a draft bust. Jordan started one game and totaled three sacks after being taken with the No. 3 overall draft pick four years ago.

Jordan was reinstated by the NFL in July following a 15-month suspension for his latest violation of the league’s substance abuse policy. He spent last season rehabilitating from knee surgery and hasn’t played since 2014. The former Oregon star’s release had been expected, and he was waived after failing a physical.

Etc.

The Chicago Bears have waived defensive lineman Ego Ferguson. A 2014 second-round draft pick, he appeared in 20 games over three years for Chicago and had 36 tackles. Ferguson sat out last season because of a shoulder injury after missing 12 games in 2005 because of a knee problem.

— Associated Press