Likely without starting quarterback Derek Carr for the remainder of 2024, the New Orleans Saints added a veteran journeyman to their practice squad.
With Carr out for Week 15 and likely beyond, the team added former 2020 seventh-round pick Ben DiNucci from free agency, the quarterback announced on X, formerly Twitter.
DiNucci, 28, has not been in the league since he was released from the Buffalo Bills’ practice squad during the 2024 preseason. However, he is most known for a two-game stint with the Dallas Cowboys in 2020 when both Dak Prescott and Andy Dalton were out with injuries.
In that season, DiNucci made his debut in Week 7 in relief of Dalton before starting the following week. The James Madison alum threw for just 180 yards and had two fumbles in his lone start against the Philadelphia Eagles, averaging a mere 4.5 yards per attempt. He lost the job to Garrett Gilbert the following week and was demoted back to the practice squad shortly after.
DiNucci also has experience playing in the XFL as a member of the Seattle Sea Dragons in 2023. He led the XFL in passing yards in his lone season before briefly returning to the NFL the following fall.
Despite his lack of success in the NFL, DiNucci has a popular following on social media, where he has over 40,000 followers on Instagram. Aside from his football career, DiNucci co-owns the hat brand “True Brvnd.”
Saints undecided on Week 15 starting quarterback
DiNucci joins the Saints five days ahead of their Week 15 matchup with the Washington Commanders, making him likely the emergency third-string quarterback for that game. Without Derek Carr under center, interim head coach Darren Rizzi remains non-committal on his next quarterback.
