Growth Spurt: KaVontae Turpin Dallas Cowboys Future Predicted by Coach Mike McCarthy

Growth Spurt: KaVontae Turpin Dallas Cowboys Future Predicted by Coach Mike McCarthy

On third-and-6 late in the game on Thursday, Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott stayed in the game, even with a fat Thanksgiving Day lead over Washington.

There was, it seems, one more thing for the "Texas Coast Offense'' to achieve.

Yes, it was about winning by a large enough margin - which Dallas eventually did, 45-10 - to pull those celebratory turkey legs out of the Salvation Army kettles.

But it was also about putting on display yet another facet to this offense ... and so Prescott chunked the ball to diminutive receiver KaVontae Turpin on a post route that resulted in a 34-yard touchdown, his third time making it to the end zone this season. 

Dallas Cowboys Receiver KaVontae Turpin / © Vincent Carchietta, USA TODAY

Turpin is just 5-9 ... but in a way, the second-year former USFL MVP is still growing.

Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy praised Turpin after the Thanksgiving Day game on his explosiveness when running his routes and his versatility on the field. 

“The post route he runs, you can’t run it any better,” said McCarthy of the play. “His angle, his stride, his timing are all stress that he puts on the safety and then you can see the safety react off of Brandin (Cooks) — going off the redline — I think that’s a clear picture of the details and the specifics that Turp is playing with right now.”

Turpin was a Pro Bowler as a rookie due to his return prowess, but he was only targeted twice in the 2022 season and recorded just one catch. Back in July, McCarthy emphasized that in order for Turpin to receive more offensive opportunities, he would need to familiarize himself with the playbook details - and he obviously did just that in the offseason.

Turpin this year has 10 catches for 113 yards and three TDs, plus another TD on eight carries for 79 yards.

It is clear that the relationship between Turpin, Prescott and McCarthy has ignited, the Thanksgiving Day touchdown being just one example.

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Said Turpin of the key: "Execution, all the guys trusting each other. We go in each and every week just trying to do better than the last week and, I feel, we're doing that.''

McCarthy has witnessed Turpin's improvement and is pleased with what he is seeing. However, in order for him to increase his numbers on the stats sheet, more opportunities must be thrown his way on the field moving forward. 

“He’s gonna continue to grow and he’s done a really good job in that receivers room,” McCarthy added. “I’m really proud of that young man. ... He's a special little guy.''