The New Orleans Saints in September sought to sign quarterback Ben DiNucci off the Broncos’ practice squad to their 53-man roster before he opted to remain in Denver.

Sources said Thursday that is what happened before the Saints instead signed quarterback Jake Luton to their 53-man roster on Sept. 26. In an interview with The Denver Gazette on Wednesday, DiNucci said another team sought to sign him but he wouldn’t name the team.

The Saints in September were looking for an additional quarterback due to starter Derek Carr being banged up and rookie Jake Haener already having missed three games of a six-game NFL suspension for testing positive for an illegal substance. They also had and still have on the roster backup quarterback Jameis Winston and Taysom Hill, who plays multiple positions and is listed on the roster as a quarterback.

Carr, who had suffered a shoulder injury Sept. 24 against Green Bay, ended up not missing any starts. Luton was inactive for three games and was cut Oct. 16 when Haener returned from his suspension. Luton rejoined Carolina’s practice squad a week later.

“There was a point in the season where another team had tried to claim me,’’ DiNucci said Wednesday about deciding then to instead remain on Denver’s practice squad. “I didn’t necessarily want to go. I didn’t necessarily want to be jumping around during the middle of the season. For quarterbacks, it’s tough. This is my first year (with the Broncos). I want to be in the system and learn. I had a lot invested in this place.”

DiNucci is listed as a second-year NFL player after playing for Dallas in 2020, being on the Cowboys’ practice squad in 2021 and then being in the XFL earlier this year with the Seattle Sea Dragons. After the offer was received by New Orleans and it was deemed to likely be a temporary situation, DiNucci talked to Denver team officials, including coach Sean Payton, who previously coached the Saints.

“They told me they’d make it up to me by the end of the year,’’ DiNucci said of his decision to stay in Denver.

The Broncos elevated DiNucci off the practice squad to the active roster for a Dec. 3 game at Houston even though it was determined beforehand he would be inactive for the game. That enabled DiNucci to get a full game check of $48,333, which was more than his usual weekly practice squad payment of $12,000.

When a player is plucked off a practice squad to join another team’s 53-man roster, he is guaranteed at least three full game checks even if he is not with his new team for that long. Luton lasted three weeks with the Saints and got three full game checks.

DiNucci is expected to be elevated at least two more times this season, which would give him at least three full game checks for 2023.

“That’s what I’m expecting, yeah,’’ DiNucci said.

Such a maneuver also could help DiNucci for the future. If elevated to the active roster for three games this year, he would get a credited season. That would place him down the road in a higher classification if receiving a minimum salary.

For now, even though DiNucci is on the practice squad and is the third quarterback behind starter Russell Wilson and backup Jarrett Stidham, he is content with his role.

“I just want to see this whole thing through and learn under Sean,’’ DiNucci said. “I figure this is a good place to do it. I had to trust them that they’ll keep their word and as of right now, they’re doing it.”

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The current AFC playoff picture:

1. Ravens (10-3, first in AFC North)

2. Dolphins (9-4, first in AFC East)

3. Chiefs (8-5, first in AFC West)

4. Jaguars (8-5, first in AFC South)

5. Browns (8-5, second in AFC North)

6. Steelers (7-6, third in AFC North)

7. Colts (7-6, second in AFC South)

In the hunt

8. Texans (7-6, third in AFC South)

9. Broncos (7-6, second in AFC West)

10. Bengals (7-6, fourth in AFC North)

11. Bills (7-6, second in AFC East)

—Paul Klee