Inside The Panthers

Former Pitt WR Makes Special Impact for Raiders

Former Pitt Panthers wideout D.J. Turner made a big play in the Raiders' blowout win over the Chargers.

Stephen Thompson

Former Pitt WR Makes Special Impact for Raiders
Former Pitt WR Makes Special Impact for Raiders /
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PITTSBURGH -- Former Pitt Panthers wide receiver D.J. Turner was one of many, many Raiders to put their fingerprints on a blowout victory over the San Diego Chargers on Thursday Night Football, but his impact was "special". 

Turner, who parlayed a breakout season at Pitt into a fairly regular spot with the Las Vegas Raiders, made an impressive special teams play when he forced a fumble from the hands of punt returner Derius Davis on punt coverage, giving his team the ball back right before they scored their fourth touchdown of the first half. 

Turner has turned into a reliable special teamer for the Raiders in 2023, helping him stick with the squad that took a chance on him as an undrafted free agent coming out of Pitt in 2021. He's played 65% of special teams this season and recorded six tackles, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery, the second of his career. 

Turner arrived at Pitt as a graduate transfer from Maryland and played the best season of his college career in blue and gold, accounting for 699 total yards and three touchdowns over 11 games in 2020.  

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Stephen Thompson
STEPHEN THOMPSON

Stephen Thompson graduated with a bachelor's degree in communications and political science from Pitt in April 2022 after spending four years as a sports writer and editor at The Pitt News, the University of Pittsburgh's independent, student-run newspaper.  He primarily worked the Pitt men's basketball beat, and filled in on coverage of football, volleyball, softball, gymnastics and lacrosse, in addition to other sports as needed. His work at The Pitt News has won awards from the Pennsylvania News Media Association and Associated College Press.  During the spring and summer of 2021, Stephen interned for Pittsburgh Sports Now, covering baseball in western Pennsylvania. Hailing from Washington D.C., family ties have cultivated a love of Boston's professional teams and Pitt athletics, and a fascination with sports in general.  You can reach Stephen by email at stephenethompson00@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter. Read his latest work:

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