ST. LOUIS — The St. Louis Rams have taken a gamble on Titus Young, claiming the disgruntled wide receiver off waivers from the Detroit Lions on Tuesday.

Young, 23, was no stranger to controversy last season with the Detroit Lions. He was sent home from the team's facility three times.

Young's troubles started with him punching teammate Louis Delmas during volunteer workouts, resulting him leaving the team for a short time.

Young was deactivated by the Lions for two games after intentionally lining up in the wrong spot in the fourth quarter against the Green Bay Packers in Week 11.

He also got into a verbal confrontration with wide receivers coach Shawn Jefferson that spilled over into an argument between Jefferson and Lions offensive coordintor Scott Linehan, the former Rams coach.

The Lions placed Young on injured reserve (knee) on Dec. 4, ending his season and removing the troubled receiver from the locker room.

Last month on Twitter, Young criticized the Lions organization and asked to be cut if he wasn't going to become a bigger part of their offense.

The Lions made Young the first NFL player cut on Monday, the first day teams could release players.

The Lions took a salary cap hit of slightly more than $900,000 in releasing Young, the Detroit News reported.

Young, a Boise State standout, was drafted by the Lions in the second round (44th overall pick) in 2011 with the hope he could take some of the pressure off star wide receiver Calvin Johnson.

The 5-foot-11, 164-pound Young caught 48 passes for 607 yards and six touchdowns as a rookie.

His numbers as well as his relationship with the Lions declined this season. He had 33 catches for 338 yards and four touchdowns this season.

With Danny Amendola and Brandon Gibson slated to become free agents, the Rams felt like Young was worth the risk.

Young's contract has him earning a base salary of $555,000 and a roster bonus of $185,000 this season.

Contact reporter Steve Korte at skorte@bnd.com or 239-2522.