Can the Dallas Cowboys keep 5-5 Deuce Vaughn and 5-7 KaVontae Turpin on final roster?

When the Dallas Cowboys selected running back Deuce Vaughn in the sixth round of the 2023 NFL Draft, the heart warming story captured the attention of the nation.

Despite an All-America career at Kansas State, he was overlooked and ignored through the first five rounds of the draft because of his 5-foot-5 height.

The anguish of his father, Cowboys scout Chris Vaughn, resonated with everyone as he tried to console a distraught son. And his tears of joy turned on faucets among football and non-football fans when dad called his son to come work with him as he announced the draft pick before breaking down himself amid cheers from his Cowboys coworkers.

Once the good feelings subsided, the business of the game took over.

And the questions became: Could Vaughn make the team?

And if he does, would it be at the expense of another diminutive feel-good story from a year earlier in 5-7 Pro Bowl kick returner KaVontae Turpin?

Turpin is tied with former quarterback Eddie LeBaron and kicker Toni Fritsch as the shortest players in team history.

If Vaughn makes the opening-day roster, he would be the shortest Cowboy in franchise history.

But there is no way they would carry two players 5-7 or under. Right?

Wrong, according to Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy.

“How they fit to playing here in Dallas, that was decided when brought them in here,” McCarthy said. “These decisions are really big. They were made back in player acquisition mode.”

McCarthy admitted that he spent time in the offseason looking to scheme plays to use Vaughn and Turpin in the Cowboys offense that would take advantage of their size and unique skill set.

“It’s really the responsibility in the system of offense to make sure you have playmakers,” McCarthy said. “If you don’t have things in your system of offense to highlight a unique skill set, you need take a good look at your system.”

Vaughn is getting opportunities as a backup running back behind Tony Pollard, a part of the third-down offense, a returner and personal punt protector.

And Turpin is getting looks at receiver and running back in addition to his return work.

“It’s expanding my role,” said Turpin, who has had as strong camp as a receiver. “I am trying to whatever I can to be a playmaker and do whatever they need me to do so I can take advantage of my opportunity.”

And McCarthy is not only scheming up things for Vaughn and Tolbert individually but he also has plays with both on the field together.

“We’re we’re trying to create opportunities for all these guys,” McCarthy said. “We want to see the value in these guys.”

Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott said their height doesn’t matter. He is just trying to get it to them in space.

“When you’re on the field with those two guys for me it is get it to their hands as fast as I can,” Prescott said. “And realize when they have a mismatch on the field that’s a benefit for them and put them in space that a lot of guys aren’t going to be able to tackle them in space. That’s a great package that we have and we’ll continue to build off that.”

Vaughn showed his skill set in the preseason opener against the Jacksonville Jaguars. The biggest play was 26-yard run, showing his quickness and shiftiness, while forcing two defenders to run into each other. He finished the drive with his first NFL touchdown.

“It’s hard to really put into words exactly what was going on, but anytime you’ve got a safety coming and it’s one on one, I like myself,” Vaughn said.

What did he prove?

“Just that I belong,” he said. “That’s the biggest thing for myself — coming in and proving the people that believe in me right. It doesn’t stop now.”

Not for him or the Cowboys.

Vaughn has gotten reps with the first-team offense in certain situations in practice this week. The Cowboys are certainly hoping to expand his package in Saturday’s preseason game at Seattle.

Against the Jaguars, McCarthy said Vaughn looked like he looked at Kansas State and he’s been making eye-popping plays in practice since the start of training camp.

So he’s not the only one that’s moving around.

“The way he played the game looked like a way you play a K-State. So I think it’s just like in every rookie goes through it,” McCarthy said. “The first time I get out there. You know, how fast are they playing as fast as they can or they’re playing the stuff that they used to?

“Obviously his talent speaks for itself. But he’s the same every day. He’s a very level personality. Nothing’s too big for him. Very bright, very instinctive, very aware. He knows who he is. And he knows how to use his skills.

“I noticed standing behind the line the first time we ran in real team period in the padded work was the defensive hand had their hands and eyes up here because couldn’t find him. That’s an asset. And he knows it to. His ability to accelerate creases. His instincts and awareness, he’s not waiting for the crease to open.”

McCarthy said the Cowboys also trying take advantage of Turpin’s natural instincts and God-given talent in the regular offense. It’s part of his second-year growth with the team after joining the Cowboys in training camp last year following a tumultuous path to the NFL which included his dismissal at TCU in 2018 because of domestic assault.

He played 33 games last season when you combine his stint in USFL with the Cowboys season, including preseason and playoffs.

“Well, Turps a rocket ship with the ball in his hand,” McCarthy said. “That’s one thing. coming in coming from his college days, he knows exactly what the end zone is and he knows how to get there. So his big play production is unique. He’s still a young player though. And that’s that’s where I view him. He’s taking that next step. So we can give more opportunities, but just a dynamic player with the ball in his hand.”

Now they got two small rocket ships.

And the Cowboys plan to use them both.

It almost makes you want cry.