Former Kansas University tight end Derek Fine, a fourth-round selection in the 2008 NFL Draft by the Buffalo Bills, was released by the team Tuesday.
He was immediately picked up on waivers by the St. Louis Rams, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported.
Cleveland and Jacksonville also put in claims for Fine, but the Rams landed him, the Post-Dispatch noted, because they had the worst record last year among those three clubs.
“He’s healthy now,” Rams general manager Billy Devaney told the Post-Dispatch. “We’re just going to bring him into the mix, and see how he does.”
Devaney told the P-D the Rams’ personnel department had good grades on Fine.
“To be honest with you, I’m really excited about getting a new opportunity,” Fine said after getting cut and before being picked up by the Rams. “It hit me a little bit, but it is a business, and you just have to move on. There’s no sense in crying over spilled milk.”
Fine was one of seven players released by the Bills Tuesday. The 6-foot-3, 247-pound Oklahoma native finished his Buffalo career with 158 yards, one touchdown and 19 receptions in two seasons.
He played in just eight games this season because of a knee injury and was placed on injured reserve last November.