Cowboys cut former Pine-Richland, Pitt QB Ben DiNucci

It appears the Dallas Cowboys will open the season with Cooper Rush as the primary backup quarterback to Dak Prescott.

He is currently the last man standing, with the team informing Garrett Gilbert and former Pine-Richland and Pitt player Ben DiNucci of their release.

“I just think he has shown he can run the complete offense,” said owner Jerry Jones in explaining the decision to give the job to Rush on his radio show on 105.3 the Fan. “Credit to him. He had some tough competition. He’s had a lot of reps. All of those things make us feel real comfortable here.”

DiNucci was a seventh-round pick in 2020 who played three games as a rookie, including one start. He went a combined 23 of 43 for 219 yards with four fumbles.

DiNucci started his collegiate career at Pitt before transferring to James Madison of the Football Championship Subdivision. As a senior, he earned Colonial Athletic Association Offensive Player of the Year and AFCA first-team All-American honors.

There is a chance Gilbert or DiNucci could be brought back to the practice squad since the team would like three quarterbacks to practice with during the season.