Draft picks Zack Sanchez and Beau Sandland return on Carolina Panthers practice squad

The Panthers’ practice squad has a familiar look, comprised entirely of players who were among the team’s final roster cuts Saturday.

Cornerback Zack Sanchez and tight end Beau Sandland -- the first two healthy draft picks cut by general manager Dave Gettleman -- headline the list of 10 players.

Of more immediate importance could be practice squad safeties Marcus Ball and Travell Dixon, given the health of backup safety Dean Marlowe.

Marlowe arrived at Sunday’s practice in full pads after missing most of the past four weeks with a partially torn hamstring. Within the first 30 minutes, he consulted with head trainer Ryan Vermillion and began working on the side after he felt his hamstring “grab a little bit.”

The Panthers kept only four safeties on their 53-man roster: starters Kurt Coleman and Tre Boston and backups Colin Jones and Marlowe, a second-year player from James Madison.

Carolina worked out several veteran safeties last week and signed one -- Stevie Brown, who was cut two days later. Coach Ron Rivera said he likes the group, and Marlowe said he appreciates the team’s faith in him.

“They believe in me heavily, and I love them for that,” he said. “I know what I can do, too. It’s just that I need to get this thing healthy and I’m rocking and rolling.”

Rounding out the rest of the practice squad are WR Keyarris Garrett, RB Jalen Simmons, OL David Yankey, DE Larry Webster, LB Brian Blechen and DT Eric Crume.

This story was originally published September 4, 2016 at 3:10 PM with the headline "Draft picks Zack Sanchez and Beau Sandland return on Carolina Panthers practice squad."