ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — There was a trio of new faces Tuesday in Orchard Park for Bills practice.
Two of the three were receivers, with the team announcing the signings of Damiere Byrd and Deon Cain.
The third new face was a new third string in the Bills quarterback room.
Former Cowboys and Broncos backup Ben DiNucci is now in Buffalo after the team placed QB Shane Buechele on injured reserve following a neck injury he suffered Saturday in the preseason opener against Pittsburgh.
DiNucci has followed a winding path, which included playing in the XFL last year with the Seattle Sea Draftons.
After his time in the XFL, he's happy to be getting another opportunity in the NFL.
“I’ve had a few workouts, just trying to keep myself mentally and physically ready just hoping that a call would come at some point,” DiNucci said. “Never take anything for granted, so I’m extremely happy to be here, to show what I can do, to these coaches, to everyone who’s going to be watching. It’s not just one team, you’re playing for all 32, so I’m excited.”
It’s an opportunity with a nice coincidence for DiNucci. He joins the Bills ahead of their second preseason game against the Steelers in Pittsburgh, DiNucci’s hometown. He’s excited to see his loved ones back home, but the focus for right now, playing catchup to get ready to play football in four days.
“I’ve got friends, family, everybody asking, I’m like, guys I got here 10 hours ago, go figure all that stuff out, I’ll see you Saturday after the game. The biggest thing for me is I need to get up to speed as quick as possible on the playbook. I’m lucky I haven’t started from ground zero. There’s some carryover from what I ran last year in Denver because Joe (Brady) was with Sean Payton for a little bit in New Orleans. So, little bit of the terminology is the same, I just need to make sure I’m comfortable with the base stuff.”
Someone who will certainly aid him with that is the Bills QB1 Josh Allen, who is already helping get DiNucci up to speed.
“Just a lot of questions,” Allen said. “He’s been around the league long enough to know what’s going on. I’ve only heard great things about him, I got a few texts from a few different people just saying you’re going to love Ben. He’s fit in well in the quarterback room already and he got here yesterday. Happy to have him in there and get to learn from him as well. He can spin the ball. He can throw it well.”
And after seeing the Bills up close last year as a member of the Broncos, DiNucci is happy to be inside the walls now at One Bills Drive.
“Really seems like blue collar, good guys from Coach McDermott down, so obviously there’s a certain type of guy, certain type of player that they want in this building,” DiNucci said. “They’ve done a really good job of creating culture, creating a tradition, and putting together a bunch of winning, successful seasons together, so I’m excited to be a part of that and help however I can.”