Broncos Sign Veteran Quarterback Before Patriots Game

The New England Patriots and Denver Broncos will meet in the AFC Championship Game on Sunday, but Bo Nix will not be playing.

Nix suffered an ankle injury in the final plays of the Broncos’ win against the Buffalo Bills and will undergo surgery on Tuesday, according to Sean Payton postgame. With Jarrett Stidham expected to start and Sam Ehlinger expected to be the No. 2 quarterback, the Broncos signed a veteran to the practice squad.

According to Adam Schefter, the Broncos are signing Ben DiNucci to the practice squad before the AFC Championship Game. DiNucci confirmed the news from his personal X account.

“It has come to my attention that a team may be in need of my services …,” DiNucci wrote on X on Sunday. “Good thing my schedule is open this week. Broncos country … Let’s go get a Super Bowl?”

DiNucci was a member of the Broncos during the 2023-2024 season. He signed with the team in May of 2023, but was waived and re-signed with their practice squad. After signing a reserve/future contract with them in January of 2024, he was waived in May.

DiNucci has started just one game in his NFL career. That start came with the Dallas Cowboys in 2020. He is unlikely to see the field, but could serve as the emergency quarterback on short notice.

DiNucci has been on five teams, although he has only seen the field for the Cowboys in the regular season. He has seen preseason action for the Cowboys, Broncos, Buffalo Bills and Atlanta Falcons.

In 13 preseason games, he has 812 yards, seven passing touchdowns and five interceptions. The Patriots will be heavy favorites going into the game, as the Broncos try to deal with losing Nix.

Stidham was a former Patriots draft pick and played eight games with the team in his first two seasons in the NFL. He has not thrown a pass in a game this season.