Australian offensive lineman David Yankey is back with the Carolina Panthers a day after being cut by the NFL team.
The Panthers, runners-up in last season's Super Bowl, saw enough talent in the Sydney-born 198cm tall, 141kg guard to add him to the team's 10-man practice squad.
Yankey, 24, was a casualty on Saturday when NFL teams were forced to slash their squads from 75 players to 53 ahead of this week's start to the 2016/17 season.
The Panthers will be seeking revenge in their season opener on Thursday in a Super Bowl re-match against the champion Denver Broncos, featuring Australian rookie defensive end Adam Gotsis.
While Gotsis could play at Denver's Mile High stadium, Yankey and other practice squad players are not eligible to take the field.
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Practice squad members work out and practice with the 53-man roster, but they do not play games and are paid about $US100,000 for the year, well below the $US450,000 minimum rookie salary.
NRL star Jarryd Hayne found himself on the San Francisco 49ers' practice squad last season after three fumbles and other mistakes cost him his place in the 53-man squad.
Yankey had a stellar four-year stint at Stanford University where he was a two-time All-American selection, but he has struggled to earn a place in the NFL since being drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in 2014 and waived by the team in 2015.
Australian punters Brad Wing (New York Giants), Jordan Berry (Pittsburgh Steelers) and Lachlan Edwards (New York Jets) are also set to play in the NFL this season.
