The Denver Broncos released quarterback Ben DiNucci on Wednesday, according to a source. DiNucci was with the Broncos all of last year on the practice squad and was elevated to the team's game-day roster three times. He became expendable this offseason after the Broncos acquired Zach Wilson from the New York Jets and then took rookie QB Bo Nix with the 12th overall pick in the first round. With DiNucci released, Denver now has three QBs on the roster in Nix, Wilson and Jarrett Stidham. All three signal-callers will compete for the starting job in training camp this summer. Wilson and Stidham obviously have the most NFL experience, but Nix is fully expected to be Denver's starter of the future after they used a first-round pick on him last month.
Free-agent quarterback Ben DiNucci agreed to an undisclosed deal with Denver on Sunday. DiNucci appeared in three regular-season games during his NFL career, all with the Cowboys in 2020, totaling 219 yards and completing 53.5% of his attempts. He was recently a top signal-caller in the XFL in 2023, playing in 10 games for Seattle and amassing 2,671 passing yards, 20 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions. He also found the end zone three more times on the run. The 26-year-old has a shot to make the Week 1 roster. However, DiNucci still isn't worth much on the fantasy end.
Free-agent quarterback Ben DiNucci recently had a tryout with the Denver Broncos. The 26-year-old is coming off a strong season in the XFL. He led the league in pass attempts (421), yards (2,966), and passing touchdowns (23). Dinucci is a former seventh-round draft pick by the Cowboys in 2020. He played in three games during his rookie season, started once against the Philadelphia Eagles. He threw for 180 yards, no touchdowns and no interceptions in a 23-9 loss to Philly. The Broncos already have Russell Wilson as their starter with Jarrett Stidham expected to be the backup. Possibly, Dinucci is able to earn a spot on the practice squad, but it's unlikely he beats out Stidham for the backup job.
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Ben DiNucci threw three interceptions in Saturday's preseason game against the Houston Texans. It was a rough one for DiNucci, who attempted 19 passes, completing 14 to his teammates and three to Texans defenders. He only threw two passes that ended up incomplete, so that's...something? DiNucci threw for 120 yards and took two sacks, losing 18 yards total. He added two carries for 10 yards. It was a rough performance, but not too different from what was likely expected by anyone who saw DiNucci play when forced into action last season. Dak Prescott (shoulder) is expected to be ready for Week 1, and much like last season, the Cowboys season is doomed without Prescott.
Dallas Cowboys rookie quarterback Ben DiNucci has been benched ahead of the Week 9 game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. DiNucci was predictably atrocious in leading the Cowboys offense in Week 8. While Andy Dalton (concussion, COVID) was originally expected back for Week 9, he has already been declared out. That leaves the Cowboys with a battle between Garrett Gilbert and Cooper Rush for the starting role against the undefeated Steelers. Regardless of who starts on Sunday, the entire Cowboys offense will take a big hit in fantasy value.
Dallas Cowboys rookie quarterback Ben DiNucci struggled in a loss to the Eagles in Week 8. Filling in for Andy Dalton (concussion), who was filling in for Dak Prescott (ankle), DiNucci completed 21 of his 40 pass attempts for 180 scoreless yards. He did not throw an interception, but he did lose two fumbles, one of which was a strip sack returned for a touchdown. DiNucci also ran the ball five times for 22 yards. He and the Cowboys offense were unable to score any touchdowns, settling for three field goals total. Dalton is expected back next week, so DiNucci should settle back into his backup role for now. He certainly didn't do anything to push Dalton for a starting role.
Andy Dalton Still In Protocol, Ben DiNucci Preparing To Start
Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy said that quarterback Andy Dalton (concussion) remains in the NFL's concussion protocol and that the team is preparing rookie Ben DiNucci to start in Week 8 against the Eagles. A final decision will be made on Saturday. "He's a confident young man. He has a lot of tools to work with," McCarthy said about DiNucci. Dalton is a long shot at this point to play against the division-rival Eagles, so DiNucci looks set to make his first career NFL start. He should be considered a desperation low-end QB2 for superflex leagues, while receivers Amari Cooper, CeeDee Lamb and Michael Gallup need to be downgraded even against Philly's shaky secondary. The Eagles Defense will be a strong streaming option Sunday.
Dallas Cowboys rookie quarterback Ben DiNucci is looking more and more likely to get the start in Week 8 against the Philadelphia Eagles. Starter Andy Dalton (concussion) still hasn't been cleared to play and was not even able to practice on Wednesday. DiNucci played in Week 7 after he replaced Dalton, going 2-for-3 for 39 yards while absorbing three sacks. DiNucci under center would be another big downgrade to all of the Cowboys offense, making the Eagles Defense suddenly a top-five fantasy option in Week 8.
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Ben DiNucci is being prepped as the starting quarterback for Sunday's game versus Philadelphia with starter Andy Dalton still needing to clear the league's concussion protocol before he can return to action. Dalton took a frightening hit to the head during Sunday's loss to Washington, paving the way for DiNucci to finish the game, going 2-for-3 for 39 yards. While Dallas oozes offensive weapons, DiNucci's fantasy prospects are likely not much more considerable than those of Dalton, who has been unable to do much of note in his short time under center this year. A seventh-round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft out of James Madison, DiNucci is closer to being targeted for utilizing opposing defenses than for his own arm, although he did throw for nearly 3,500 yards with 29 touchdowns during his final collegiate season.
Dallas Cowboys rookie quarterback Ben DiNucci took over in Week 7 after starter Andy Dalton was forced to leave after taking a shot to the head. DiNucci only attempted three passes, completing two for 39 yards. He fumbled twice, but both were recovered by the Cowboys. DiNucci, as expected, looked overmatched in this one, but may need to make the start next week if Dalton isn't cleared to play. There remains a chance the Cowboys make a trade or sign a free agent instead of having their seventh rounder start the next game. Either way, a Cowboys offense that's already struggling mightily without Dak Prescott (ankle) will continue to struggle and could get even worse.