Turpin caught four of five targets for 50 yards and lost six yards on his only carry in Sunday's win over the Steelers. He added 38 yards on his only kickoff return.
With Brandin Cooks (knee) on IR, Turpin stepped into the No. 3 wide receiver role behind CeeDee Lamb and Jalen Tolbert and set season highs in receptions and targets. Turpin's biggest play came on the Cowboys' first drive of the second half, as Dak Prescott found him deep over the middle for a 34-yard strike. Turpin isn't likely to see big volume without further injuries ahead of him on the Dallas depth chart, but his ability to pop for a big gain any time he gets the ball makes him an upside option while Cooks is sidelined.
... See More... See Less
Cowboys' KaVontae Turpin: Finds end zone in loss
Rotowire
Turpin caught all three of his targets for 51 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's loss to the Ravens.
He also added one yard on his lone carry. Turpin's first offensive TD of the season came late in the fourth quarter on a 16-yard pass from Dak Prescott as the Cowboys furiously tried to rally from a 21-6 halftime deficit. With Brandin Cooks struggling, Turpin's role on offense could continue to increase, but his main value to Dallas comes in the return game, as he has 165 total return yards through three games, including a Week 1 punt-return touchdown.
... See More... See Less
Cowboys' KaVontae Turpin: Takes punt to house Sunday
Rotowire
Turpin failed to catch his only target but produced 130 return yards in Sunday's win over the Browns, including a 60-yard punt return for a touchdown.
It's the first career return TD for the dynamic 28-year-old. Turpin's 96 punt return yards Sunday already exceeds his total from all of 2023, and he took advantage of the NFL's new rules to jet 34 yards on his lone kickoff return. The big performance will likely remind other teams why they stopped kicking the ball to Turpin last year, but as he has shown in his cameos on offense -- four TDs on only 27 career touches -- he's capable of scoring anytime he gets the ball in his hands.
... See More... See Less
Cowboys' KaVontae Turpin: Doesn't play in preseason
Rotowire
Turpin didn't see action in any of Dallas' three preseason games this year.
That's good news for the TCU product, as Turpin is locked in as the Cowboys' top kick returner and had nothing to prove during the exhibition schedule. Teams avoided putting the ball in Turpin's hands last year, and his total return yards dropped from 811 in his rookie campaign to 371 in 2023, but the NFL's new kickoff rules should give the 28-year-old more opportunities to break away for his first career kick return touchdown. With CeeDee Lamb still holding out and Brandin Cooks (knee) not 100 percent at the end of training camp, Turpin could also see more snaps on offense early in the season after he scored four TDs on only 23 offensive touches last year.
... See More... See Less
Cowboys' KaVontae Turpin: Gets more involved in offense
Rotowire
Turpin caught 12 of 18 targets for 127 yards and three touchdowns, gained 110 yards and a TD on 11 carries and added 371 return yards over 16 regular-season games in 2023.
Teams learned not to kick it to Turpin after his impressive rookie campaign as a returner in 2022, but the Cowboys found ways to get the ball in his hands on offense instead, and the 27-year-old delivered one of the most eye-popping TD-to-touch ratios in the league. Turpin's last touchdown came Week 12, though, and he got only five touches in seven games down the stretch, including Dallas' wild-card loss to Green Bay. He has one more season left on his current contract worth less than $1 million, but it wouldn't be surprising if the Cowboys signed him to an extension this offseason given his value on special teams and as a gadget player on offense.
... See More... See Less
Cowboys' KaVontae Turpin: Hauls in Thanksgiving TD
Rotowire
Turpin caught his only target for a 34-yard touchdown in a 45-10 rout of the Commanders on Thanksgiving.
The second-year return man continues to get occasional usage on offense as the Cowboys try to take advantage of his speed and elusiveness, and Turpin's lone grab Thursday produced the team's final offensive score of the afternoon. It's his third receiving TD of the season and fourth overall on just 18 touches, and while that volume doesn't give him a lot of utility in many fantasy leagues, he's provided some value in deeper best-ball leagues.
... See More... See Less
Cowboys' KaVontae Turpin: Three touches in return
Rotowire
Turpin gained 13 rushing yards on his lone carry and caught two of three targets for 10 yards in Sunday's win over the Panthers.
After missing last week's rout of the Giants with a shoulder injury, Turpin returned to his usual role as the main kick returner for Dallas and a gadget player on offense, although Carolina never gave him a chance to make an impact in the return game. Turpin has only 17 touches in nine games this season but has scored three TDs, and he remains a threat to break a big play any time he has the ball in his hands ahead of a meeting with the Commanders on Thanksgiving.
... See More... See Less
Cowboys' KaVontae Turpin: Returns to field
Rotowire
Turpin (shoulder) was a full participant in practice Wednesday, Jon Machota of The Athletic reports.
Turpin was unable to practice last week and ultimately sat out the team's win over the Giants on Sunday. The 27-year-old has now put that injury behind him with a return to full participation and should be ready to take the field Sunday against the Panthers.
... See More... See Less
Cowboys' KaVontae Turpin: Sitting out Sunday
Rotowire
Turpin (shoulder) is inactive for Sunday's Week 10 game against the Giants, Todd Archer of ESPN.com reports.
Turpin was never able to get on the practice field during Week 10 prep and was believed to be trending toward an absence as a result, and that is now officially confirmed. With the speedy reserve wideout and primary returner out of action Sunday, rookies Jalen Brooks and Deuce Vaughn are in line to fill his No. 5 receiver role and special-teams duties, respectively, versus New York.
... See More... See Less
Cowboys' KaVontae Turpin: Likely to sit out Sunday
Rotowire
Turpin (shoulder), who is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Giants, is considered unlikely to play, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
Dallas will evaluate Turpin in pregame warmups before making a call on his status ahead of Sunday's 4:25 p.m. ET kickoff, but the 27-year-old looks to be trending toward sitting out after failing to practice in any fashion Wednesday through Friday. Turpin typically holds only a minor role on offense as a gadget player, but he earned a Pro Bowl nod in 2022 for his efforts as a kickoff and punt returner. Rookie Deuce Vaughn will likely handle return duties Sunday if Turpin is out.
... See More... See Less
Cowboys' KaVontae Turpin: Misses practice
Rotowire
Turpin was held out of Wednesday's practice with a shoulder injury.
A 2022 Pro Bowl selection, Turpin brings most of his value to the Cowboys in the return game, as he notably brought back kicks for gains of 48 and 63 yards over the past two games. He's also done well with his limited chances on offense this season, carrying seven times for 66 yards and a touchdown while adding seven catches for 69 yards and two scores on nine targets. The Cowboys may turn to Deuce Vaughn to handle returns if Turpin isn't ready to play this Sunday against the Giants.
... See More... See Less
Cowboys' KaVontae Turpin: Makes impact in return game
Rotowire
Turpin caught one of two targets for 13 yards in Sunday's 43-20 win over the Rams. He added 88 yards on two kickoff returns.
The second-year speedster set up Dallas' third touchdown of the day with a 63-yard return early in the second quarter, and he took another kick to the house later in the game only to have it wiped out by a penalty. Turpin's average of 28.4 yards per kickoff return is fourth in the league among players with at least five returns, and the Cowboys' efforts to get the ball in his hands on offense have resulted in one rushing and one receiving TD this season on only 12 touches.
... See More... See Less
Cowboys' KaVontae Turpin: Practices fully Friday
Rotowire
Turpin (ankle) returned to full practice participation Friday, Jon Machota of The Athletic reports.
Turpin didn't practice Thursday due to an ankle injury, but he was back in there without limitations Friday. Dallas won't release its injury report for Monday's matchup with the Chargers until Saturday, but barring a setback, Turpin will likely avoid an injury designation, allowing him to fill his usual role as a return man and part-time offensive player.
... See More... See Less
Cowboys' KaVontae Turpin: Breaks long gain in Sunday's rout
Rotowire
Turpin gained 46 rushing yards on his only carry, caught his only target for five yards and added 13 yards on two punt returns in Sunday's 38-3 win over the Patriots.
The second-year gadget player nearly took a jet sweep to the end zone early in the fourth quarter, but Turpin got caught from behind and fumbled the ball in the red zone. Fortunately for Turpin, tight end Sean McKeon was able recover it. Turpin has seen only five touches on offense over the last three weeks, but with No. 2 running back Rico Dowdle (hip) potentially set to miss some time, he could see more work out of the backfield alongside rookie Deuce Vaughn. Turpin's big-play ability isn't likely to show up Week 5 against an elite 49ers defense, however.
... See More... See Less
Cowboys' KaVontae Turpin: Making an impression
Rotowire
Turpin is one of eight players who has impressed during training camp, Jon Machota of the Athletic reports.
Turpin impressed as the team's return man last season and continues to show off those skills in camp. More importantly, Turpin is continuing to improve as a receiver and has been consistently making plays on offense. The second-year pro should make the 53-man roster due to his previously mentioned special-teams skills, but he may be making a case for a larger role on offense as well.
... See More... See Less
Cowboys' KaVontae Turpin: Hopes to get more offensive chances
Rotowire
Appearing on the Blogging the Boys podcast, Turpin said he hopes to get more chances on offense in 2023.
After being named the MVP of the USFL in 2022, Turpin signed a three-year deal with Dallas and made the Pro Bowl as a returner. He played just 62 snaps on offense, however, rushing three times for 17 yards and catching one of two targets for nine yards. With both Noah Brown and T.Y. Hilton slated for free agency, Turpin wants a shot to play more snaps. "They are going to try and get me on the offense and try to make guys respect me more on both sides of the ball," Turpin said. "I'm going into this training camp, I'm basically trying to show them that they have no choice but to use me on offense, that's my mindset." At 5-foot-9, 153 pounds, Turpin would do well to carve out a role in special packages. He's unlikely to come into fantasy relevance.
... See More... See Less
Cowboys' KaVontae Turpin: Suiting up Week 18
Rotowire
Turpin (illness) is active for Sunday's game against the Commanders, Jon Machota of The Athletic reports.
The reigning USFL MVP and Pro Bowl returner will therefore sidestep inactive status for the finale after being added to the injury report Friday. Turpin should continue to operate in his usual special-teams capacity versus Washington, although he perhaps could also see some snaps on offense if the Cowboys sit some of their starters early in the regular-season finale.
... See More... See Less
Cowboys' KaVontae Turpin: Dealing with illness
Rotowire
Turpin didn't practice Friday and is officially listed as questionable for Sunday's matchup against Washington due to an illness.
Turpin landed on the injury report Friday as a non-participant with an illness, and his availability for Sunday's regular-season finale is now in jeopardy. If he doesn't suit up, Tony Pollard and CeeDee Lamb may be asked to handle more return opportunities, though Dallas likely wouldn't want to put two of its most important offensive weapons in too many of those situations with the playoffs looming.
... See More... See Less
Cowboys' KaVontae Turpin: Two return TDs against Bolts
Rotowire
Turpin recorded a 98-yard kickoff return and an 86-yard punt return, both for touchdowns, in Saturday's preseason game against the Chargers.
He also gained seven yards on his only carry, but it was Turpin's electric work on special teams that had the entire league buzzing Saturday night. Per Michael Gehlken of The Dallas Morning News, the 5-foot-7 rookie has a spot on the 53-man roster sewn up, and given the Cowboys' lack of depth at wide receiver heading into Week 1 that could translate into more than just a role as the team's top return man.
