The Atlanta Falcons have made a surprising move just before their final preseason game, signing quarterback Ben DiNucci. The announcement, initially broken by DiNucci himself via a humorous tweet, adds another signal-caller to the Falcons' 90-man roster as they prepare to face the Dallas Cowboys.
DiNucci's NFL Journey: From Dallas to Atlanta
DiNucci, a former seventh-round pick by the Dallas Cowboys in the 2020 NFL Draft, brings a mix of experience and potential to Atlanta. He appeared in three games for the Cowboys during his rookie season, starting one, and completing 23 of 43 pass attempts for 219 yards. Since then, he's been a practice squad player, spending time with the Denver Broncos, Buffalo Bills, and most recently, the New Orleans Saints.
Before his return to the NFL, DiNucci had a notable stint in the XFL with the Seattle Sea Dragons, where he led the league with 2,671 passing yards and ranked second with 20 touchdowns. His performance in the XFL clearly caught the attention of NFL teams, leading to his opportunity with the Falcons.
Falcons Roster Moves: Chark and Jones Out
To make room for DiNucci, the Falcons released wide receiver DJ Chark and waived/injured quarterback Emory Jones. Chark had played in both of the Falcons' first two preseason games, recording one catch for 11 yards against the Tennessee Titans. Jones also saw action, completing four of five passes for 49 yards against the Detroit Lions and two of five passes for 16 yards against the Titans. Jones suffered an injury in the last game after a hard hit.
What Does This Mean for Atlanta?
The addition of DiNucci provides the Falcons with needed depth at the quarterback position, particularly after the injury to Emory Jones. While it's unlikely DiNucci will immediately challenge for the starting role, his experience and recent success in the XFL could make him a valuable asset on the practice squad or even a potential backup option down the line. The Falcons will get a good look at DiNucci in their final preseason game against the Cowboys.
- Signed QB Ben DiNucci
- Released WR DJ Chark
- Waived/injured QB Emory Jones