Tag: Ben DiNucci

Aug 24, 2024; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills quarterback Ben DiNucci (15) throws a pass in the second quarter pre-season game against the Carolina Panthers at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-Imagn Images

Saints add QB Ben DiNucci in wake of injuries to Derek Carr

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Injuries to starting quarterback Derek Carr have led the New Orleans Saints to sign journeyman Ben DiNucci, who announced the news on social media on Tuesday.

The team has not confirmed the signing or whether DiNucci would be on the active roster or practice squad. He provides depth behind Carr’s backups, Jake Haener and Spencer Rattler.

Interim coach Darren Rizzi announced Monday that Carr suffered an injury to his left (non-throwing) hand and also entered the concussion protocol. Rizzi disputed an NFL Network report that Carr has a “major fracture” and said surgery isn’t required.

The Saints (5-8), according to media reports, might not put Carr on injured reserve with four games remaining in the regular season, including at home on Sunday against the Washington Commanders (8-5).

Carr was injured when he tried to leap for a first down late in the final quarter of a 14-11 road win against the New York Giants on Sunday. He was near the sideline and went airborne, landing hard on the left hand with this face then slamming into the turf as he landed out of bounds with 3:59 left in the game.

Carr completed 20 of 31 passes for 219 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Haener finished up the game for the Saints.

Overall, Carr has passed for 2,145 yards, 15 touchdowns and five interceptions this season. He missed three games earlier this season due to an oblique injury.

DiNucci, 28, has appeared in three NFL games (one start), all with the Dallas Cowboys in 2020 when starter Dak Prescott injured his ankle. DiNucci completed 23 of 43 passes (53.5 percent) for 219 yards. The Cowboys drafted him in the seventh round in 2020.

After the Cowboys released him in August 2022, DiNucci spent time with the Denver Broncos’ practice squad during the 2023 season before his release in May. The Buffalo Bills signed him on Aug. 12 and released him on Aug. 27.

–Field Level Media

Feb 23, 2023; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Sea Dragons quarterback Ben DiNucci (6) walks off the field after the game against the St. Louis Battlehawks at Lumen Field. St. Louis defeated Seattle 20-18. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports

Broncos release QB Ben DiNucci

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Denver Broncos released quarterback Ben DiNucci on Wednesday, leaving three signal-callers on their roster.

“All part of the journey!!” DiNucci posted on X. “Excited for what’s to come.”

DiNucci, 27, originally signed with Denver in May 2023 but did not see any action last season and became the odd man out.

In addition to the returning Jarrett Stidham, the Broncos drafted Bo Nix with the No. 12 overall pick and acquired former No. 2 overall pick Zach Wilson in a trade with the New York Jets this offseason.

A seventh-round pick by Dallas in 2020, DiNucci made his only NFL start that season. He completed 21 of 40 passes for 180 yards with no touchdowns and no interceptions in the Cowboys’ 23-9 loss at Philadelphia on Nov. 1.

–Field Level Media

Feb 23, 2023; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Sea Dragons quarterback Ben DiNucci (6) passes the ball to running back Morgan Ellison (25) during the second half at Lumen Field. St. Louis defeated Seattle 20-18. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports

Broncos sign QB Ben DiNucci, XFL’s leading passer

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Denver Broncos signed quarterback Ben DiNucci and running back Jacques Patrick on Tuesday, adding two players who most recently starred in the XFL.

DiNucci was the XFL’s leading passer, racking up 2,671 passing yards with 20 touchdowns and 13 interceptions for the Seattle Sea Dragons. He led Seattle to one of four playoff spots in the inaugural season of the “XFL 3.0.”

DiNucci, 26, spent 2021-22 with the Dallas Cowboys before being waived by them ahead of the 2022 seasons. He started one game in 2020 while Dak Prescott and Andy Dalton were injured. In three career NFL games (all during 2020), DiNucci has thrown for 219 yards without a touchdown or a pick.

Patrick, playing for the San Antonio Brahmas, ranked second in the XFL with 443 rushing yards on 115 carries. He scored five touchdowns and added 30 receptions for 238 yards.

Patrick, 26, played in two games for the San Francisco 49ers in 2021 and got two carries for 12 yards.

–Field Level Media

Jan 8, 2020; Frisco, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones answers questions during a press conference at Ford Center at the Star. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

Jones: Broncos’ QB situation not worse than what Cowboys faced

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones likely raised a few eyebrows when comparing his team’s quarterback situation to that of the Denver Broncos.

The Broncos lost 31-3 on Sunday to the New Orleans Saints with practice squad wide receiver Kendall Hinton at quarterback. Starter Drew Lock, backup Brett Rypien and practice squad member Blake Bortles were forced to quarantine after they were ruled to have had close contact with quarterback Jeff Driskel, who tested positive for the virus last Thursday.

Hinton completed 1 of 9 passes for 13 yards and two interceptions against the Saints.

“I don’t know that Denver had any more of a challenge than we’ve had with (Ben) DiNucci or with the young quarterbacks that we’ve had,” Jones said Tuesday on 105.3 FM the Fan in Dallas. “And, by the way, two or three of those (Broncos) quarterbacks will be back from the (reserve/COVID-19 list).”

The Cowboys have been forced to use a quarterback carousel after Dak Prescott sustained a season-ending ankle injury in a 37-34 victory against the New York Giants on Oct. 11. When backup Andy Dalton was forced out of two games because of a concussion and COVID-19, Dallas put Garrett Gilbert under center, as well as rookie seventh-round pick DiNucci, who completed 21 of 40 passes for 180 yards in a 23-9 loss to Philadelphia on Nov. 1.

Jones also took issue with the Broncos quarterbacks reportedly not wearing masks as required when they were together. Lock has since apologized for letting his guard down.

“Boy, we have been schooled in the NFL — the teams have been schooled (by COVID-19),” Jones said. “You had really better pay attention to your protocols. You better manage. Don’t just give it lip service.

“Don’t just roll your eyes back and say, ‘That happens to them. That doesn’t happen to me.’ … And I don’t mean to be trite about it, but that happens in football. Better be ready to have somebody come in there. All teams are advised that do logical things relative to separation, relative to having your players available when you got COVID challenge and do those things — because it could make a difference in scoring points or make a difference in how you defend somebody.

“That’s part of coaching. That’s part of managing the game.”

–Field Level Media

Oct 25, 2020; Landover, Maryland, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Andy Dalton (14) passes the ball as Washington Football Team nose tackle Daron Payne (94) defends in the second quarter at FedExField. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Cowboys QB Dalton still in concussion protocol

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Dallas Cowboys were hoping they would only have to rely on rookie Ben DiNucci for one spot start, but Andy Dalton is not yet ready to return to practice, coach Mike McCarthy said Monday.

Dalton missed the Cowboys’ 23-9 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday after he sustained a head injury on an illegal hit from Washington linebacker Jon Bostic in Week 7.

“Andy hasn’t officially cleared the protocol,” McCarthy said. “Once we make it through that, we’ll announce it to you.”

Dallas owner Jerry Jones previously stated that he hoped to have Dalton back in the lineup in time for the Cowboys’ visit from the undefeated Pittsburgh Steelers this Sunday.

Dallas (2-6) averaged 32.6 points per game with Dak Prescott at the helm before Prescott sustained a season-ending leg injury during a Week 5 win against the New York Giants.

In the three games since Prescott’s injury, the Cowboys have netted a combined 22 points.

Dalton, 33, struggled after taking over for Prescott. On the season, he has completed 61.2 percent of his passes for 452 yards with one touchdown and three interceptions in four games, two starts, this season.

DiNucci, who finished his college career at James Madison, hit on 21 of 40 passes for 180 yards in his first NFL start against the Eagles. He didn’t throw a touchdown pass or an interception but lost a pair of fumbles and was sacked four times.

Dallas remains in the hunt in the lackluster NFC East, where it trails Philadelphia by 1 1/2 games for the division lead. But fixing the stagnant offense won’t be easy without the regular QB, McCarthy said.

“No. 1, it starts with Dak,” McCarthy said. “Anytime an offense loses its starting quarterback … I mean, he was playing at a high level.”

–Field Level Media