Since KaVontae Turpin arrived in Dallas in 2022, fans have been eager to see his speed and explosiveness used to their full potential. The former USFL MVP has been a dynamic return man for the Cowboys, but finding consistent ways to involve him on offense has been a challenge—until now.
In Week 5 against the Pittsburgh Steelers, head coach Mike McCarthy took steps to maximize Turpin’s impact. Known for his quickness and agility, the 5-foot-9, 153-pound Pro Bowler had been largely neutralized in the return game, as teams actively avoided kicking to him. Turpin saw his punt returns drop from 29 in his rookie year to just 13 by his second season, and in 2024, he had logged just two kick returns through the first four weeks.
To get him more involved, McCarthy made a strategic change. By removing co-return man Juanyeh Thomas and leaving Turpin as the sole returner, Turpin got his first kickoff return opportunity in two games. While it was just one return, it was a significant one, as Turpin now averages 35.67 yards per return, well above the league average and far more valuable than a touchback.
But the bigger breakthrough came on offense. With Brandin Cooks sidelined due to injury, Turpin saw increased playing time, logging 22 offensive snaps, a season high. He was targeted five times, catching four passes—both also season highs. Though one rushing attempt resulted in a six-yard loss, Turpin’s presence on offense creates opportunities for big plays, forcing defenses to respect his speed and lateral movement.
Fans and analysts have long called for the Cowboys to integrate Turpin more into the offense, not just as a decoy but as a real weapon. His ability to create space and make defenders miss gives Dallas an advantage, and it seems McCarthy is finally starting to use Turpin in a way that maximizes his talents.
Whether this was a one-game adjustment or a sign of more involvement to come remains to be seen. But for one week at least, the Cowboys tapped into Turpin’s explosive potential, and the results speak for themselves. The hope is that McCarthy will continue to lean on his speedster as the season progresses.
