Cowboys' KaVontae Turpin 'Can Play Receiver!' Cooper Rush Reacts to Move

Dallas Cowboys special-teamer KaVontae Turpin made a crucial third-down catch against the Seattle Seahawks and draws high praise from backup quarterback Cooper Rush.

Dallas Cowboys return man KaVontae Turpin is, it seems, no longer a one-trick pony as he has been steadily involved in Mike McCarthy's "Texas Coast Offense'' - with none other than Cooper Rush now offering praise.

While there have been flashes during training camp, fans still needed to see Turpin in live NFL action. In Dallas' two preseason games, Turpin has seen limited snaps, but against the Seattle Seahawks, he connected with Cooper Rush on a third-down pass as he hauled it in to keep the chains moving.

For Rush, anyone who thinks Turpin is just a return man is sadly mistaken.

“That was huge, great route, not the best throw,” Rush said on his third-down connection with Turpin. “He found the opening to the hole and made a great catch over his back shoulder. The guy can play receiver, I know he’s a punt returner, but he’s a heck of a receiver, and it’s fun being out there with him."

Turpin had one reception for 15 yards against the Jacksonville Jaguars and followed that up with two catches for 17 yards against the Seattle Seahawks.

While not eye-popping numbers, Turpin is getting a feel for what it's like playing receiver in the NFL.

This might be my favorite offensive play from last night.

Rico Dowdle steps up big time in pass protection and Turpin makes a difficult third down grab.#DallasCowboys pic.twitter.com/pFbfUwAttd

— Nick Harris (@NickHarrisFWST) August 21, 2023

McCarthy called Turpin a "Rocket Ship" with the ball in his hand, and while many fixate on his home-run speed, against Seattle, Turpin showed his catching ability on the third-down connection with Rush ... so maybe he isn't "just" a speed guy.

While the top four positions on the receiver depth chart are seemingly taken, KaVontae is showing that he is more than a "gadget guy" on offense ... and maybe he is a viable contributor.

This of course is an annual preseason ritual: The projection of a backup as something more than that. But it is true that Dallas has worked to find ways to utilize the former USFL MVP, even lining him up in the backfield in camp practice in Oxnard.

With such a large group of weapons for Dak Prescott to utilize, can McCarthy find a way to get Turpin the ball on game days? For now, the idea has the endorsement of somebody who knows the player and the offense in Cooper Rush.

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