The Dallas Cowboys absorbed a swift and potentially significant roster blow during Sunday night’s primetime matchup against the Green Bay Packers when wide receiver and return specialist KaVontae Turpin exited the contest before the Cowboys had even run a single offensive play from scrimmage. Turpin sustained his injury during the opening kickoff of the game, leaving the field slowly before heading directly to the locker room under medical supervision.
Beaten-path reporters covering the game documented the immediate aftermath on social media. Todd Archer of ESPN reported that Turpin got up slowly following the game’s initial kick and was listed as questionable to return due to a hip injury, noting that his absence would represent a major loss for the team’s special teams unit. Matt Schneidman of The Athletic offered a different initial injury designation from the sideline, reporting that Turpin was questionable to return with a rib injury. Nick Harris of The Fort Worth Star-Telegram confirmed that the wide receiver was being escorted to the locker room, while noting that Caleb Downs would step in as the backup punt returner and Tyler Goodson would assume backup kick return duties.
The early departure underscores the value Turpin brings to the Dallas roster. Entering his fifth season with the organization, Turpin established himself as one of the league’s premier specialists by leading the NFL in kickoff return yards during the 2024 season. That performance earned him his first career NFL All-Pro selection, adding to his resume as a two-time Pro Bowler. His contributions on special teams prompted the franchise to secure his services long-term by signing him to a three-year, $13.5 million contract extension in March 2025.
Sunday’s injury development follows a tumultuous period for the wide receiver off the field. During the 2025 offseason, Turpin was arrested in Texas on drug and weapons charges following a late-night traffic stop in July. According to an incident report from the Allen Police Department obtained by TMZ Sports, officers clocked Turpin driving his 2022 Dodge at 97 miles per hour in a 70 mph zone at approximately 11:49 p.m. on a Saturday. During the subsequent stop, authorities reported seeing an unholstered 9mm pistol in plain view in the back seat and later recovered less than two ounces of marijuana from the center console.
