Getty The latest news from the Dallas Cowboys is that KaVontae Turpin is out with a shoulder injury.
The latest news from the Dallas Cowboys shows that Swiss Army Knife playmaker KaVontae Turpin is dealing with a shoulder injury. Turpin was sidelined in practice, putting his status against the Giants for Week 10 in question. Patrik Walker of DallasCowboys.com reports that Turpin’s availability against New York is “still open.”
“KaVontae Turpin is not practicing as he is dealing with shoulder/rib issues,” ESPN’s Todd Archer tweeted on November 9, 2023. “Deuce Vaughn worked as a punt returner. Vaughn, Rico Dowdle and Juanyeh Thomas worked as kick returners.”
The news could be a blow to Dallas’ offense as Turpin has become increasingly more involved in recent weeks. Turpin has scored a touchdown in two of the last three games.
Cowboys News: Rookie Deuce Vaughn could handle return duties if KaVontae Turpin is out
The most obvious influence is in the return game, where Turpin is the team’s main specialist. Should Turpin be forced to miss time, it would likely open up an opportunity for rookie Deuce Vaughn. The running back has been healthy in recent weeks and hasn’t played since the Cowboys’ loss to the 49ers on Oct. 8.
“With KaVontae Turpin out of practice today with a shoulder injury, Deuce Vaughn took reps as punt returner while Rico Dowdle took reps as kick returner,” Nick Harris of DallasCowboys.com tweeted on November 9th. “Something to keep an eye on before Sunday’s game against New York.”
Jalen Tolbert is challenging Michael Gallup for the Dallas Cowboys’ WR3 role
Sunday’s offensive snap count for Cowboys wide receivers vs. Eagles: CeeDee Lamb, 70 (16 targets); Brandin Cooks, 58 (two); Michael Gallup, 36 (three); Jalen Tolbert, 31* (five); KaVontae Turpin, 13 (one).
*Second best in career. Most in a 2023 game with Lamb, Cooks and Gallup… pic.twitter.com/1YVAVwd3ja
— Michael Gehlken (@GehlkenNFL) November 6, 2023
Given his recent success, it will be interesting to see if Turpin’s offensive commitment increases as he returns to full strength. The snap counts show that Michael Gallup is being challenged for playing time by reserve receivers like Jalen Tolbert.
“Number of offensive snaps Sunday for Cowboys wide receivers vs. Eagles: CeeDee Lamb, 70.”[%] (16 goals); Brandin Cooks, 58 (two); Michael Gallup, 36 (three); Jalen Tolbert, 31* (five); KaVontae Turpin, 13 (one),” explained Michael Gehlken of the Dallas Morning News on November 6th. “*Second best in career. Most of them in a game in 2023, with Lamb, Cooks and Gallup all active. All goals came in the second half. Had three catches for 49 yards and the first touchdown of his career.”
Mike McCarthy on Brandin Cooks’ involvement in Cowboys’ offense: ‘I don’t play fantasy football’
Brandin Cooks hasn’t had more than 49 yards receiving in his seven games this season. It’s his longest such streak since seven games in 2019 with the Rams, but he won’t be unhappy. He believes a breakthrough will come at some point. pic.twitter.com/99QQCvJF6t
— Todd Archer (@toddarcher) November 9, 2023
One of the more puzzling aspects of the offense was the lack of involvement from Brandin Cooks. Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy didn’t respond kindly to the constant questions about Cooks’ touches.
“Look, I don’t play fantasy football,” McCarthy told reporters on Nov. 6. “We have game plans and I think that’s important. That’s a challenge for guys because our system is based on making a quarterback successful. This is how this passing game is taught. The way I learned it. It has always been this way for the last 30 years and the quarterback is responsible for making progress. The way they play the coverage cannot have any influence on this. So, all of these things.
“Now when you start forcing the ball, you switch the quarterback’s feet. Now we’re taking a different path. You have to have some of these pieces. You have to have coverage bats and so on. But we pay attention to quarterback discipline and quarterback training,” McCarthy added.
“So yeah, I’d like to see everyone get the ball, but when you’re throwing for… 370 plus [yards] And you have to come here and answer questions about someone who doesn’t get the ball. I mean, come on, I don’t think that’s a real review.”
Jonathan Adams covers the NFL and NBA for Heavy.com, focusing on the Dallas Cowboys, Seattle Seahawks, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Los Angeles Lakers. His work has been featured prominently on NFL.com, Yahoo Sports, Pro Football Talk, CBS Sports, Bleacher Report and Sports Illustrated. More about Jonathan Adams
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