Ben DiNucci will not be on the Cowboys’ 53-man roster to start the season. Dallas is cutting the third-year passer, Todd Archer of ESPN.com tweets.
The former seventh-round pick was behind Cooper Rush and Will Grier on the Dak Prescott-topped depth chart. Rush and Grier have vied for the backup job during the preseason, and the presence of both could impact DiNucci’s status as a practice squad arm.
That said, the Cowboys kept three quarterbacks last season, with Rush — who returned after his Giants stint — and Grier on the team’s active roster. DiNucci, who started a game and played in three during Prescott’s injury hiatus in 2020, spent last season on Dallas’ P-squad. DiNucci, who attempted 43 passes as a rookie out of James Madison two years ago, stayed with the team via reserve/futures contract this offseason.
Teams must pare their rosters from 80 to 53 by 3pm Tuesday. Waiver claims will process Wednesday afternoon. At that point, teams can begin assembling their practice squads. Despite the NFL doing away with the reserve/COVID-19 list this season, taxi squads remain at 16 players. If the Cowboys are planning to keep the same arrangement as 2021, DiNucci — should he clear waivers — would be on track to stick with the organization as its fourth QB.
damn I really hope he hooks on with another team he was great for JMU and I think he has potential to be a good backup in the league
Carolina would have to be interested, I’d think. They have no depth behind Baker with all the injuries, and DiNucci is probably better than Darnold anyway.
As an Eagles fan I’m sad.
I think the entire league except jerry world fan boys are sad
In all fairness, that one start he got against Philly on MNF was on short notice, without any preseason, any mini camps or OTAs, and without ever running even one Cowboys play with his teammates in practice until a couple days before that game. Then they sent him out there with a horrible gameplay. Instead of building him up with the run game and short passes early they called gadget plays and did him zero favors. If guys like Chase Daniel can stay employed and earn over $40mil in his career there’s a place for DiNucci to hold a clipboard as well.
*Gameplan*
No I 100% agree. It was a crap situation for him. My comment was mostly tongue in cheek
I think QBs like DiNucci would be better off getting snaps in one of the alternate leagues than wasting away on an NFL practice squad.
You’re right, unfortunately the fringe guys that were affiliated can’t go and get game action while those down the pecking order that aren’t signed with an NFL team can sign, play and get valuable PT and then sign with an NFL organization. Those at the bottom of the NFL depth charts are really missing out.
I thought he looked better than Rush in the preseason.