National Post (National Edition)
Cowboys rookie strides into the starting-QB spotlight
DiNucci starts for team desperate for W
From one hit away to the starting lineup, a new reality arrives this weekend for Dallas Cowboys rookie Ben DiNucci on Sunday night.
A seventh-round pick expecting to define the role of “extra arm” on a roster with Dak Prescott and Andy Dalton, DiNucci could start for Dallas in the NFC East date with the Philadelphia Eagles in prime time.
Prescott dislocated his ankle and is out for the season. Dalton is in concussion protocol and not yet able to practice. Cowboys owner Jerry Jones on Friday said Dalton wouldn't be ready until next week.
So here stands DiNucci, who tasted his first live NFL action last week at Washington following Dalton's injury.
“I think in the span of 10 days I went from being in a sweatshirt and sweatpants to here we are, my number could be called,” DiNucci said Thursday. “This is everyone's childhood dream, right? The chance to be the starting quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys. What more could you want? For me, this is an opportunity of a lifetime.”
The former Pitt quarterback was picked 231st overall in the 2020 draft. Talk about connections. DiNucci played eighth-grade basketball for Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy's brother in the Pittsburgh area.
Teammates on Thursday said DiNucci isn't lacking for confidence or arm strength. Running back Ezekiel Elliott said the 23-year-old was “slinging it” while taking every firstteam rep at quarterback this week. The swagger stood out to Dallas' defensive personnel, too.
“Slinger,” linebacker Jaylon Smith observed. “Full of confidence. And that's what I love: You see a fire in his eyes.”
Dalton has not been ruled out. But McCarthy did not sound optimistic about his status for Sunday's game.
DiNucci claimed Thursday his job “is easy” in that he only needs to get the ball to his top three receivers.
“I'm taking it in stride,” DiNucci said. “Hey, this is 2020. What else do you expect? Here we are, Week 8 of my rookie year I've got a chance to go out there on Sunday Night Football and do what I love to do. I couldn't be happier or more excited.”
NO. 1 CLEMSON LOOKS BEYOND
LAWRENCE
A week that began with Trevor Lawrence making headlines by suggesting he might come back to the college game for 2021 will end with the presumptive No. 1 pick in next year's draft away from the team recovering from COVID-19.
Top-ranked Clemson is a heavy favourite Saturday against Boston College even with freshman D.J.
Uiagalelei likely to start.
Uiagalelei was the topranked pro-style quarterback in the 2020 class according to 247Sports' Composite rankings. He had 127 touchdown passes in four seasons as a high school starter at St. John Bosco in Bellflower, Calif., and is listed at 6-5, 245 pounds.
Uiagalelei has played in five games this season behind Lawrence and has two rushing touchdowns along with completions on 12 of 19 passes for 102 yards.
HALL OF FAMER CB
ADDERLEY DIES
Pro Football Hall of Fame cornerback Herb Adderley, who played in four of the first six Super Bowls, died Friday at the age of 81.
The Pro Football Hall of Fame announced Adderley's death, but did not divulge a cause.
Adderley returned an interception 60 yards for a touchdown in the fourth quarter to help the Green Bay Packers post a 33-14 victory over the then-Oakland Raiders in Super Bowl II.
A five-time Pro Bowl selection and four-time All-Pro, Adderley was selected by the Packers with a first-round pick in the 1961 NFL Draft out of Michigan State.
Adderley played for the Packers in both Super Bowls I and II and suited up for the club through 1969 before being traded to the Dallas Cowboys, with whom he played in Super Bowls V and VI.
He elected to retire after the Cowboys traded him to the Rams. He was chosen to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1980.
TWO NFLERS TEST POSITIVE FOR
COVID-19
The Denver Broncos postponed practice Friday after a player tested positive for COVID-19, the team announced.
While the Broncos did not disclose the identity of the player, NFL Network reported that it was offensive guard Graham Glasgow. The 28-year-old has started six games for Denver this season.
Also on Friday, the Pioneer Press reported that Minnesota Vikings linebacker Todd Davis tested positive for COVID-19. Davis will become the second Vikings defensive player placed on the Reserve/COVID-19 list this week, joining rookie cornerback Cameron Dantzler.
The NFL Network reported that Sunday games pitting the Broncos against the visiting Los Angeles Chargers and the Vikings visiting the Green Bay Packers will be played as scheduled.
THAT'S WHAT I LOVE: YOU SEE A FIRE IN HIS EYES.
PATRIOTS GILMORE (KNEE) UNDERGOES MRI
Reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year Stephon Gilmore might be on the sideline Sunday for the New England Patriots due to a knee injury.
According to multiple reports, Gilmore tweaked his knee and underwent an MRI exam after Thursday's practice. The Patriots added him to their injury report and his status is up in the air for Sunday's game against the host Buffalo Bills.