The Dallas Cowboys are pressing forward with the third-string quarterback. With Dak Prescott (fractured ankle) and Andy Dalton (concussion) both out of the lineup, the 2020 seventh-round pick was thrown into the fire early.
However, when speaking to the media on Wednesday, Elliott praised DiNucci for his command of the huddle.
“He definitely has a little s**t to him,” Elliott said. “Confidence. He takes command of the huddle and that’s great especially coming from a young guy since you honestly don’t know, he hadn’t played any snaps in this league up until last week.”
Elliott said that DiNucci is doing everything he can to prepare for Sunday.
“Ben’s been up here relentlessly here in the last 48 hours,” said Elliott, via ESPN’s Todd Archer. “He’s pouring everything that he personally can into this opportunity that may be in front of him,” head coach Mike McCarthy said. “He’ll get pretty much all the work this week because I don’t see Andy coming back (until) at the end of the week at the earliest.”
DiNucci made his NFL debut last Sunday when Dalton was knocked out of the game by Jonathan Bostic. Out of 12 snaps, he completed 2 of 3 passes for 39 yards. However, he was sacked three times and fumbled twice.
The team drafted DiNucci No. 231 overall, taking the James Madison quarterback in the seventh round. In his first start, DiNucci has the tough task of leading the Cowboys out of the gutter. If the Cowboys, 2-5, can knock off the 2-4-1 Philadelphia Eagles, the team can take first place in the division.
No pressure.
Zeke Elliott on Ben DiNucci: “He definitely has a little shit to him, confidence, he takes command of the huddle and that's great especially coming from a young guy since you honestly don't know, he hadn't played any snaps in this league up until last week.”
— Calvin Watkins (@calvinwatkins) October 28, 2020