(Editor's Note: Time to check the mail! The DallasCowboys.com staff writers answer your questions here in 'Mailbag' presented by Miller Lite.)
I'm all for getting KaVontae Turpin more touches, but do you think those touches will take away from some of his return abilities? I'm a little concerned we might tire him out. – Paul Lumford/North Las Vegas, NV
Nick: I think the more times he gets the ball, the more chances they have to make a big play. Also, the more times he gets the ball, the more chances he has to get tackled and ultimately to get hurt. People his size usually don't play football at all, especially in the NFL. This is no secret.
Are we surprised that in his second game with a full workload of snaps, he ends up getting a neck injury and it's going to be 50-50 for him to play this week. That's the risk the cowboys run into by using Turpin in this capacity. I'm all for getting him more stamps because I think he's a dangerous weapon, but he also have to realize that he can't take many hits. So when they lined them up at running back and he was tackled for a loss, that's exposing him to a position that is usually given to running backs, and we all know how short their careers tend to be.
But I know this, if you're asking if me I thought Turpin could've broken one or two of those returns on Sunday, I'd say "definitely yes." Also, I believe Turpin had a couple of key plays that led to a touchdown drive in the third quarter. So yes, he needs the ball more. The Cowboys just have to hold their breath every time he gets it because there's no way he can continue to take big hits.
Kurt: I don't think there needs to be any concern about Turpin getting tired during games. After being on the field for 27 percent of the offensive snaps in 2024, he's seen 28 percent of the snaps through two games this season. Not a huge change. Of course, he's being put in motion a lot more often and being utilized to a greater degree in Brian Schottenheimer's offense, which is where the real difference comes.
Turpin is on pace to easily surpass all of his offensive career highs. He already has 10 touches (six catches, four carries) through just two games this season after totaling 47 touches (31 catches, 16 carries) for the entire 17-game schedule a year ago. But despite that, he's also on track to post career highs in both kickoff returns and kickoff return yards.
If there is any worry to be had, it may be that more opportunities on the field mean more hits Turpin must endure. And as we know, he's not a big guy, standing just 5-foot-7 and weighing 158 pounds. He has opponents a foot taller and more than 100 pounds heavier he's trying to avoid.
He even left yesterday's game with a neck injury, which makes one wonder if he is built to handle that kind of punishment on a regular basis? Would the Cowboys be better off limiting him on offense, so that he's available to work his magic on kick and punt returns, where he is a two-time Pro Bowler and a 2024 All-Pro?
Maybe, but with his speed and shiftiness, Turpin is just too much of an offensive threat to leave standing on the sideline.
Mailbag
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