Michael Sam has reportedly returned to Montreal.

The former 2013 SEC Defensive Player of the Year left Alouettes camp on June 12 before the Als' first preseason game, citing personal reasons.

According to Herb Zurkowsky of the Montreal Gazette, Sam was in Montreal on Wednesday with injured linebacker Kyries Hebert and has a locker at Olympic Stadium. Sam is expected at team meetings this Sunday and at practice on Monday.

In late June, the Als signed Sam, 25, to a two-year contract. If Sam appears in a game, he will become the first openly gay player in the league's history.

A seventh-round pick of the St. Louis Rams in the 2014 NFL Draft out of Mizzou, Sam didn't make the Rams' roster and found himself on the Dallas Cowboys' practice roster in September. He was waived in October.

Earlier on Thursday, Alouettes general manager Jim Popp told The Guardian that he expected Sam back with the team.

"I think he will be back," Popp said. "I'll be surprised if he is not back. He wants to play. I will be very surprised if he is not back."

Popp cited fatigue for the player.

"I think he needed a break," Popp said. "That's my personal belief. I think it was just overwhelming to some degree, and he needs to clear his mind, clear his head. Do I think he wants to play? Do I think he wants to be on the field? Do I think he wants to be Michael Sam the football player? I, 100 per cent, believe that. Yes."

The Alouettes lost their season opener on Thursday night 20-16 to the Ottawa Redblacks.