Saints Sign Veteran Quarterback Ben DiNucci Amidst Carr's Injury Setback
In a pivotal strategic decision, the New Orleans Saints have enhanced their quarterback arsenal by signing seasoned quarterback Ben DiNucci. This move comes in the wake of an unfortunate injury to their starting quarterback, Derek Carr, who had to leave the field during Sunday’s triumphant outing against the New York Giants due to multiple injuries.
The medical team diagnosed Carr with a fracture in his non-throwing hand, along with a concussion, casting a shadow over his availability for the upcoming weeks and possibly the rest of the season. Despite this, the team appears hesitant to place Carr on injured reserve, holding out hope for his swift recovery.
DiNucci's Journey in Professional Football
Ben DiNucci, who embarks on this new chapter with the Saints, began his NFL career as a seventh-round draft pick by the Dallas Cowboys in 2020. His introduction to the league saw him starting one game during his rookie season, where he managed to complete 21 of 40 pass attempts, amassing a total of 180 yards.
DiNucci's stint with the Cowboys came to an end when he was waived in the summer of 2022. However, the young quarterback found a new pathway in the sport by joining the Seattle Sea Dragons in the XFL. His performance there was noteworthy, as he led the league in passing, contributing to a solid 7-3 record over 10 games.
A New Opportunity with New Orleans
Following his XFL success, DiNucci spent time with the Denver Broncos on their practice squad during the 2023 season. He later made a brief appearance at the Buffalo Bills’ summer training camp in the same year, showing resilience and adaptability across these varying platforms in his career.
As the Saints navigate this challenging period, DiNucci's presence offers valuable experience and depth to their quarterback lineup, which now could potentially comprise not only DiNucci but also Jake Haener and rookie Spencer Rattler. This arrangement, however, hinges on whether Carr is placed on injured reserve—a decision yet to be solidified by the Saints management.
Looking at the Road Ahead
The addition of DiNucci underscores the Saints’ broader strategy to maintain competitiveness in the league amidst the absence of their primary signal-caller. While this transition period is fraught with challenges, DiNucci's prior NFL and XFL experiences could prove instrumental in keeping the team’s offensive rhythm intact.
With several weeks of the season remaining, the Saints' approach reflects a contingency plan built on robust talent options and a hopeful outlook towards Derek Carr’s recovery timeline. As the situation develops, all eyes will be on how Ben DiNucci adapts to his new team environment and whether he can harness his experience to help steer the Saints through this turbulent phase.
For Saints fans and NFL observers alike, the narrative unfolding in New Orleans will certainly be one to watch in the coming weeks as the team navigates these uncharted waters with their new quarterback line-up.