Cowboys' KaVontae Turpin: Does little on five targets
Rotowire
Turpin caught one of five targets for minus-2 yards in Sunday's loss to the Broncos. He added 86 yards on three kickoff returns.
The five targets were third on the Cowboys behind CeeDee Lamb (10) and George Pickens (nine), but Turpin couldn't get on the same page with either of the quarterbacks he got them from, as Joe Milton replaced Dak Prescott late in the 44-24 blowout loss. Turpin's main value to Dallas still comes as a return man, and despite missing two games with a foot injury, the 29-year-old is still fifth in the NFL with 571 kickoff return yards.
... See More... See Less
Cowboys' KaVontae Turpin: Back in usual role
Rotowire
Turpin caught his only target for 17 yards and added 80 kickoff return yards and four punt return yards in Sunday's 44-22 win over the Commanders.
After missing the prior two games with a foot issue, Turpin returned to the lineup and resumed his usual role as the Cowboys' top kick returner and depth wideout. He had seen multiple touches on offense in each of his first four games of the season, although not more than six in any contest, so his lack of usage may have had something to do with him being eased back into action. Turpin could see more targets and jet sweep carries Week 8 if Dallas has any trouble generating yards against a stingy Denver defense, but he's no real threat to the volume of CeeDee Lamb or George Pickens.
... See More... See Less
Cowboys' KaVontae Turpin: Limited again Thursday
Rotowire
Turpin (foot) was limited at practice Thursday, Todd Archer of ESPN.com reports.
Turpin has now logged back-to-back limited sessions since retaking the practice field Wednesday, meaning he'll likely have to upgrade to full reps Friday in order to avoid an injury designation for Sunday's matchup against the Commanders. If Turpin is able to return to action Week 7, he'll operate as Dallas' top option in the return game and play a depth role at wide receiver.
... See More... See Less
Cowboys' KaVontae Turpin: Returns as limited participant
Rotowire
Turpin (foot) was a limited participant Wednesday in his return to practice, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports.
This is Turpin's first participation in a practice or game since Week 4, and it comes on the same day as CeeDee Lamb's (ankle) return to practice. The Cowboys still have a lengthy injury report, but things are at least trending upward on the offensive side, with G Tyler Booker (ankle) also returning to practice Wednesday.
... See More... See Less
Cowboys' KaVontae Turpin: Slated to practice Wednesday
Rotowire
Coach Brian Schottenheimer said Turpin (foot) is expected to practice Wednesday, Joe Hoyt of The Dallas Morning News reports.
Turpin didn't practice at all in advance of sitting out Weeks 5 and 6 due to a foot injury, so his return in some capacity Wednesday is a sign of progress in his recovery. His activity level will be confirmed once the Cowboys post their first Week 7 practice report.
... See More... See Less
Cowboys' KaVontae Turpin: Chance to return Week 7
Rotowire
Cowboys EVP Stephen Jones said Monday that Turpin (foot) is among injured players who "have a chance" to retake the field Sunday versus the Commanders, Jon Machota of The Athletic reports.
Turpin has missed back-to-back games due to a lingering foot injury, and he hasn't yet practiced in any capacity in that span. If he's able to resume getting in at least limited on-field reps during Week 7 prep, it seems he'll have a fair shot at returning for Sunday's divisional matchup. Star wideout CeeDee Lamb (ankle) reportedly also has a chance to get back on the field against Washington.
... See More... See Less
Cowboys' KaVontae Turpin: Sits out another practice
Rotowire
Turpin (foot) did not practice Thursday, Adam Caplan of SiriusXM NFL Radio reports.
Turpin hasn't practiced in any capacity since suffering a foot injury during the Cowboys' overtime tie with the Packers in Week 4, and he's already stated that he doesn't anticipate suiting up Week 6. With Turpin likely unavailable for Sunday's road game against the Panthers and CeeDee Lamb (ankle) also a candidate to remain sidelined, George Pickens, Jalen Tolbert, Ryan Flournoy and tight end Jake Freguson will continue benefiting from expanded opportunities in the receiving game.
... See More... See Less
Cowboys' KaVontae Turpin: Unlikely to play Week 6
Rotowire
Turpin (foot) said Wednesday he does not anticipate gaining clearance for Sunday's road matchup against the Panthers, Nick Harris of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports.
Turpin appears on track to miss a second consecutive game due to a lingering foot sprain. Ryan Flournoy, who broke out with six catches for 114 yards one nine targets versus the Jets in Week 5, will again benefit from increased opportunities on offense versus Carolina if Turpin is unable to go, while Jaydon Blue and Jalen Tolbert would likely see an uptick in return work.
... See More... See Less
Cowboys' KaVontae Turpin: Sidelined for Week 5
Rotowire
Turpin (foot) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Jets, Todd Archer of ESPN.com reports.
Turpin didn't practice at all this week while managing a foot sprain and will now miss just his second game since signing with Dallas ahead of the 2022 season. A two-time Pro Bowl selection as a return man, Turpin typically makes his biggest splash on special teams, but he's also taken hold of a larger role on offense in his fourth NFL season. Turpin had averaged 4.3 touches per game over the first four weeks of the campaign, but his absence along with CeeDee Lamb's (ankle) should free up more opportunities for George Pickens, Jalen Tolbert and Ryan Flournoy at receiver.
... See More... See Less
Cowboys' KaVontae Turpin: Sits out another practice
Rotowire
Turpin (foot) didn't participate in Thursday's practice, Calvin Watkins of The Dallas Morning News reports.
During this past Sunday's 40-40 tie with the Packers, Turpin sustained a sprained foot, which has kept him from practicing Wednesday and Thursday. Though the pair of absences to kick off Week 5 prep don't inspire much early confidence that Turpin will be ready to play Sunday against the Jets, Joseph Hoyt of The Dallas Morning News relays that the Cowboys don't anticipate the two-time Pro Bowl return specialist requiring a stint on injured reserve. Still, with Turpin banged up and with top wideout CeeDee Lamb (ankle) set to miss another game in Week 5, the Dallas receiving corps could be shorthanded once again.
... See More... See Less
Cowboys' KaVontae Turpin: Officially DNP on Wednesday
Rotowire
Turpin (foot) was a non-participant in Wednesday's practice, Nick Harris of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports.
Turpin wasn't spotted at the early portion of Wednesday's practice, and now his lack of activity has been confirmed. The No. 4 receiver and standout return man is nursing a foot injury sustained during the Cowboys' overtime tie against the Packers in Week 4. He'll have two more opportunities to mix into drills ahead of Sunday's game against the Jets.
... See More... See Less
Cowboys' KaVontae Turpin: Not spotted at practice
Rotowire
Turpin (foot) was not spotted at the early portion of Wednesday's practice open to the media, Todd Archer of ESPN.com reports.
Turpin is reportedly managing a foot injury sustained during the Cowboys' overtime tie with the Packers in Week 4, making him uncertain for Sunday's road matchup against the winless Jets. If Turpin ends up missing any time, Jalen Tolbert will handle an increased workload on offense alongside George Pickens, as well as in the return game.
... See More... See Less
Cowboys' KaVontae Turpin: Three grabs in Sunday's tie
Rotowire
Turpin caught three of four targets for 30 yards, gained four yards on his only carry and added 175 yards on six kickoff returns during Sunday's 40-40 overtime tie with the Packers.
Even with CeeDee Lamb (ankle) on the shelf, Turpin didn't see a significant increase in his role as a receiver, with his 42 snaps on offense actually being less than the 48 he got over only four quarters last week against the Bears. Turpin remains one of the NFL's preeminent return men, however, with his 175 yards Sunday being a season high, and his 405 kickoff return yards on the season are second in the league behind the Titans' Chimere Dike (530).
Turpin caught two of three targets for 64 yards, rushed for four yards on his only carry and added 77 yards on two kickoff and two punt returns in Sunday's loss to the Bears.
While he remains a threat as a return man every time he touches the ball, Turpin is also beginning to make an impact as a receiver, hauling in gains of 27 and 37 yards in Sunday's blowout loss. Over the last two games, he's produced a 6-111-1 line on seven targets, and Turpin's role in the Cowboys offense could increase further if CeeDee Lamb (ankle) is sidelined for a Week 4 clash with the Packers.
... See More... See Less
Cowboys' KaVontae Turpin: Resumes practicing in full
Rotowire
Turpin (neck) was a full participant in Thursday's practice, Nick Harris of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports.
Turpin was listed as limited on Wednesday's injury report, though the Cowboys had merely held a walkthrough practice. In any case, Turpin now looks ready to rock for Sunday's road game against the Bears. Turpin's neck injury forced him to depart Week 2 against the Giants early, but before leaving the field he brought in all four of his targets for 47 yards and a score while racking up six rushing yards on two carries.
... See More... See Less
Cowboys' KaVontae Turpin: Getting work in backfield
Rotowire
Turpin has taken handoffs with the first-team offense during the first couple days of training camp, Patrik Walker of DallasCowboys.com reports.
The 28-year-old is locked into a roster spot as the Cowboys' primary kick returner and as a depth option at wideout, but Turpin could be adding more duties to his portfolio. Dallas lacks an established starter in the backfield, with bargain free-agent signings Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders battling with rookies Jaydon Blue and Phil Mafah, as well as holdover Deuce Vaughn, for snaps and touches, and Turpin appears to be tossing his hat in the ring. While he's unlikely to win the top job outright, he could work in as part of a committee and provide a direct threat to Blue and Vaughn as an undersized speedster who can contribute as a receiver.
... See More... See Less
Cowboys' KaVontae Turpin: Re-signs for three years
Rotowire
Turpin and the Cowboys reached agreement Tuesday on a three-year contract, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports
The report notes that Turpin will become the "highest-paid special teams player in NFL history", although part of the motivation for re-signing him is that he's also a significant contributor on offense. He caught 31 of 52 targets for 420 yards and two TDs last season, adding 16 carries for 92 yards, 18 punt returns for 187 yards (with one TD) and 27 kick returns for 904 yards (and another TD). Turpin is a late bloomer who went undrafted back in 2019 and didn't make a regular-season appearance until 2022, which explains why he'll be 29 years old at the start of his fourth NFL campaign come September. He'll presumably land somewhere between third and fifth on the depth chart at wide receiver, in addition to returning both punts and kickoffs.
... See More... See Less
Cowboys' KaVontae Turpin: Three grabs in Sunday's loss
Rotowire
Turpin caught three of five targets for 53 yards, gained five rushing yards on his only carry and added 32 return yards in Sunday's loss to the Commanders.
The versatile third-year wideout hauled in multiple passes for the first time since Week 13. Turpin took on a slightly bigger role in the Cowboys offense down the stretch with CeeDee Lamb (shoulder) on the shelf, but his primary value to Dallas comes on special teams. The 28-year-old is one of the league's elite return men, leading the NFL with 904 kickoff return yards in 2024, and Turpin was the only player to score a TD on both a punt and a kickoff return this season. He'll be a restricted free agent this offseason.
... See More... See Less
Cowboys' KaVontae Turpin: Three touches against Philly
Rotowire
Turpin caught one of four targets for 16 yards and gained 18 yards on two carries in Sunday's loss to the Eagles. He also added 48 yards on two kickoff returns.
The star returner leads the NFL with 874 kickoff return yards and 1,060 combined kickoff and punt return yards, and he's the only player in the league to score a touchdown on each kind of return. Turpin didn't see his usage as a receiver increase significantly in Week 17, however, even with CeeDee Lamb (shoulder) done for the season, and the 28-year-old hasn't caught more than one pass in a game since Week 13. Turpin's role may not change much in Week 18 against the Commanders, but if the Cowboys do decide to rest starters, he's more likely to be among the players to sit than to benefit.
... See More... See Less
Cowboys' KaVontae Turpin: Four touches in win
Rotowire
Turpin caught his lone target for seven yards and rushed three times for 11 yards in Sunday's 26-24 win over the Buccaneers.
Turpin was unable to produce much on his four touches against Tampa Bay, as he was used more as a rusher than a receiver in the Cowboys' offensive scheme Sunday. The third-year wideout has flashed impressive play-making ability this season, but he lacks consistency in his production to make him a reliable fantasy option on a weekly basis. Next up for Turpin and the Cowboys is a Week 17 matchup with the Eagles.