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From the moment KaVontae Turpin arrived in Dallas back in 2022, fans have been looking for ways to get him the ball. The former USFL MVP has the kind of speed, explosiveness and athleticism that can’t be taught. A receiver in name but a return man by trade, Turpin has carved out quite the reputation in the two plus seasons he’s been with the Cowboys.
Making the Pro Bowl as a rookie, the 5-foot-9, 153-pound human water bug became a player opposing teams tried to avoid. By his second season Turpin saw his returnable punts drop from 29 to 13 and his kick returns go from 21 to just 10. It’s a trend that continues in 2024 with Turpin not logging a single returnable punt since Week 1 and posting a total of just two kick returns through the first four weeks of play.
Teams have been avoiding Turpin for fairly obvious reasons and the Cowboys haven’t figured out a way to forcibly insert their fastest player back into the game plan. Until now, that is.
In Week 5 against the Steelers, Mike McCarthy finally problem solved the situation. The Cowboys removed co-return man Juanyeh Thomas from the equation and left Turpin back to field kickoffs alone. It only offered him one return on the day but even that was a welcomed sight given he hadn’t had one opportunity the two games prior. For anyone wondering, he’s now averaging 35.67 yards per kick return, far above league average and greater than the value of a touchback.
McCarthy has also given him extra opportunities on offense. While it’s likely Brandin Cooks’ injury played a big part in the decision, seeing Turpin on offense was a welcomed sight regardless. Turpin logged 22 snaps on offense for Dallas, which marked a season high. His five targets downfield and four receptions were also season highs. He took a six-yard loss on his only rushing attempt but much like a cruddy Christmas gift from loved ones, it was the thought that counts.
Using Turpin as a receiver gives him the best opportunity to create magic in space. And using him as a rusher once or twice a game will force opponents to respect the horizonal motion that typically goes with a Turpin run.
It’s what fans and media have been begging for, for quite some time. Problem solve the kick returns. Create horizonal motion on offense. Use Turpin as a runner and as a run-action decoy. And get Turpin the ball down field.
For at least one week, Turpin has been maximized on the Cowboys. Whether Week 5 was an anomaly or a sign of more things to come is anyone’s guess, but McCarthy has been rewarded for using his diminutive dynamo so the hope is it will all continue.