In the wake of Derek Carr‘s injury, the Saints have added a quarterback. Ben DiNucci has joined the team, per a Tuesday announcement from the veteran passer himself. 
Carr suffered a fracture in his non-throwing hand on Sunday, and he is considered week-to-week as a result. Surgery will not be required, and the Saints do not intend to place him on injured reserve (a move which would guarantee a four-game absence). Even though Carr could return before the end of the campaign as a result, New Orleans has sought out depth under center.
Jake Haener took over for Carr during New Orleans’ Week 14 win, and he could be in line to get the start this week. Failing that, the team will look once again to Spencer Rattler; the fifth-round rookie has made three starts this season, but his performances have left plenty to be desired. The same can also be said of Haener, but in some combination those two will be in position to handle QB duties over the coming weeks.
DiNucci’s most recent (and only) regular season NFL game action came with the Cowboys in 2020. He made three appearances and one start that year, but it has not been followed up by signficant playing time opportunities since then. The former seventh-rounder played for the XFL’s Seattle Sea Dragons in 2023, a stint which led to practice squad time with the Broncos and Bills. DiNiucci was waived by Buffalo during roster cutdowns this summer.
Now, the 28-year-old will get the chance to see time on the Saints’ taxi squad. A promotion to the active roster will likely not be necessary as long as Haener and Rattler stay healthy over the closing weeks of the campaign, but DiNucci could audition for an offseason roster spot with New Orleans.
Gucci DiNucci says “just when I thought I was out, they pull me back in”…
DiNucci Mane
Da Nooch!!!
Seattle Sea Dragons legend
Hopefully he gets on the field
You know I’m not a fan of the UFL but that is where QBs like DiNucci should be getting some on field experience instead of wasting time on some NFL practice squad.
Ya hopefully they can work out a deal with the NFL to get the best of both worlds, with practice squad guys playing UFL too
There’s talks of it, but NFL wants UFL to prove its longevity first before doing anything formal.
UFL is doing OK for being on “power save mode” their first few seasons (including XFL & USFL)
Their goal is longevity, not immediate home run.
This season they will be featuring FOX Friday Night UFL games (with WWE moving to Saturday nights on the new year Fox schedule)
This should be unique with Fridays usually a boring sports night, can give UFL at least a locked-in time slot.
That was also a massive issue last season was games being inconsistent time slots and TV channels (FOX, ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, FS1) on a week to week basis.
That consistent FOX Friday Nights will give people a good place to find them
Ps: thanks for finally making sense 😉