Dallas Cowboys sign USFL MVP, TCU ex WR KaVontae Turpin as a return specialist
The Dallas Cowboys are turning to former TCU receiver KaVontae Turpin, fresh off winning the USFL MVP Award with the New Jersey Generals, as a potential return specialist.
He was scheduled to take a physical with the team and sign a contract on Thursday to join the Cowboys in training camp.
To make room for Turpin, the Cowboys released fullback Nick Ralston.
Turpin, who worked out for the Cowboys last week at the in Frisco, would give the team an explosive option on returns, allowing them to relieve No. 1 receiver CeeDee Lamb from his duties on punt returns and taking pressure off of kickoff return specialist Tony Pollard, who is expected to have a larger role in the offense.
Turpin flashed his potential in USFL, catching 44 passes for league-leading 540 yards and four touchdowns in 10 games. He rushed for 129 yards and an a touchdown. He also had 184 punt return yards.
It was what he does best.
Turpin, who spent three seasons with TCU, ended his college career as the top returner in program history. He returned four punts and two kickoffs for touchdowns in his career.
Also a playmaker on offense as a receiver, he had 13 career receiving touchdowns and two rushing touchdowns.
It would be the continuation of a long journey back for Turpin, who was released from the TCU program in 2018 by former head coach Gary Patterson following two domestic violence charges.
In March 2018, he was charged with battery against a girlfriend in Las Cruces, New Mexico. That charge was pled down to disorderly contact.
But a misdemeanor assault charge in Tarrant County, stemming from an October 18 arrest in Fort Worth involving the same girlfriend — he allegedly “dragged” and “slammed” his girlfriend, Raiesha Atwater, in an apartment complex parking lot — resulted in a guilty plea to assault causing bodily injury
As part of his plea agreement, Turpin will served two years’ deferred adjudication probation, and must complete a 27-week Partner Abuse Intervention Program through SafeHaven of Tarrant County.
