Cowboys Now Working On Third-String Quarterback

The quarterback situation has been interesting for the Dallas Cowboys (2-5) this season. The big question coming in was whether the team should sign Dak Prescott to a long-term deal. He was playing this year out on the franchise tag, and some questioned if he was worth a massive contract.

A lot has changed since then.

Prescott suffered a season-ending ankle injury earlier this month. Andy Dalton replaced Prescott in the starting lineup and struggled in two game before suffering a concussion against the Washington Football Team this past Sunday.

Now, it might be time for third-stringer Ben DiNucci to make his first NFL start. What a time to be alive, right?

It started with Prescott tossing it around to Amari Cooper, Michael Gallup and CeeDee Lamb for 370-plus yards per game. Now we're going to see a seventh-round rookie from James Madison take the field against the Philadelphia Eagles (2-4-1) on Sunday Night Football.

Life comes at you fast.

Still, DiNucci has some promising traits. He's got some mobility, and he is incredibly tough. Those are good places to start, but is it enough? We'll have to see. Things can't get much worse for the Cowboys though.

In two starts, Dalton averaged 4.7 yards per attempt while tossing only one touchdown and three interceptions. He has also been sacked six times. Injuries on the offensive line have contributed to the problem, but Dalton isn't without fault.

DiNucci also seems like a good guy to pull for. He is very appreciative of his rare opportunity.

“This is an opportunity of a lifetime,” DiNucci said Thursday, via to Pro Football Talk. “I think, as a rookie seventh-rounder coming in, you see Dak and you see Andy at the top of the depth chart. It’s, ‘Hey, there’s no chance that I’m going to be on the field this year.’ But 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.”

Dallas has succeeded with unlikely quarterbacks in the past. Longtime Cowboy Tony Romo was an underrated free agent, and Prescott wasn't drafted until Day 3 back in 2016. Will DiNucci be that next success story? It is doubtful, but never say never.

Follow Clint Lamb on Twitter @ClintRLamb.