The Falcoholic
The Atlanta Falcons suffered one significant-seeming injury in Friday’s preseason game against the Tennessee Titans, and it was to fourth-string quarterback Emory Jones. Scrambling to try to convert a fourth down, Jones took a hard hit and exited the game, and there was question of whether he’d be available for the third preseason game as a result.
We have our answer, as the team is signing quarterback Ben DiNucci, according to grizzled NFL insider quarterback Ben DiNucci.
DiNucci has a golden opportunity to push for a practice squad spot or at least a role in Terry Fontenot’s speed dial list, given that we don’t yet know if Kirk Cousins is definitively staying in Atlanta. Born in Atlanta himself, DiNucci has spent time with the Cowboys, Broncos, Bills, and Saints, appearing in three games back in 2020 for the Cowboys and completing 23 of 43 attempts for 219 yards and scrambling six times for 22 yards. The former seventh round pick is quick and a capable runner with solid accuracy, but isn’t a capable deep ball thrower and has bounced around the league looking for a role because he hasn’t put standout stretches on tape in the summer or the regular season.
With the Falcons, DiNucci is most likely a space filler in Week 3, likely set to play at least a quarterback and potentially a full half as the team puts Easton Stick in mothballs for what’s likely to be Atlanta’s QB3 role in 2025. With Cousins still a possibility for a couple of quarterback-needy teams but no momentum that we know of, the Falcons may be inclined to keep Stick on the roster, which could open up a QB4 role on the practice squad if they’re hoping to keep options in-house for a potential trade. Jones had enough moments in his late relief duty to think he should be that guy, but with the injury, DiNucci at least gets his shot to jockey for a role or a midseason phone call if the Falcons have need of a quarterback.
Give him a warm welcome and get ready to see him Friday night.
