PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Roger Staubach, Troy Aikman, and Ben DiNucci?
The third name does not exactly belong with the first two when it comes to Dallas Cowboy quarterbacks. However, DiNucci may very well be lining up under center for the Cowboys on Sunday night when they face the Eagles at the Linc.
The Cowboys’ top quarterback, Dak Prescott, is out for the year after suffering an ankle injury. Veteran Andy Dalton is likely also out after suffering a concussion in Washington last Sunday.
Enter DiNucci, a seventh round draft pick who stepped in last Sunday after Dalton was injured. If Dalton is unable to recover in time, the rookie's first start will come against the Eagles in front of a national audience. Eagles defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz said they won't take DiNucci lightly.
"Anybody that makes an NFL team is good enough to play," said Schwartz. "I think you start there. That's going to get your respect right away. You're good enough to make a 53-man roster, that deserves our respect."
Having the respect of the Eagles defense is one thing. Being able to perform under the glare of the Sunday night spotlight is another.
The Cowboys already appear to be a sinking ship after getting blown out in Washington.
Dallas is now 2-5, and being forced to turn to a rookie quarterback may be too much to ask.
However, Schwartz knows whoever will be at quarterback will have plenty of weapons to work with.
"They have enough play makers without the quarterback," Schwartz said. "That's going to keep our full attention. When you're talking about those receivers we just talked about, they have got a good tight end group, obviously (Ezekiel) Elliott back there. Those guys can all make plays. They are not going to change their offensive game plan."
While the inexperienced DiNucci has a tough task ahead of him, the Eagles had to dig deep when it came to game film.
There were no preseason games this year, and DiNucci has only played a part of one regular season contest.
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Schwartz said they had to go back as far as last fall, when DiNucci was a college quarterback at James Madison University to find more film.
"We were on that tape yesterday watching some of his college film," said Schwartz. "Just getting a feel for him more as an athlete and some of the throws that he made and things like that."
This is a critical game for the Eagles.
At 2-4-1, another division win would give the Eagles some distance atop the NFC East.
When they see the Dallas Cowboys run onto the field in South Philadelphia on Sunday night, it won't matter who will be at quarterback when it comes to the intensity level.
"We are always up for the Cowboys," Schwartz said. "It really doesn't matter who is out there at quarterback. We'll be ready to go."