Cowboys star embracing position switch after arrest: “I gotta be better”

A surprise contender has emerged during training camp in the Cowboys’ running back rotation. Ace punt returner KaVontae Turpin has been taking handoffs in both first- and second-team reps while also thriving as a receiver.

“He’s a weapon”: Turpin stuns coaches with explosive camp start

After two days of training camp, Turpin has yet to drop a pass as a receiver. But he’s also impressed in the backfield, proving that he’s truly a versatile player who can thrive at any position.

“The way they get the ball in my hands, you know I’m gonna go out there and be a playmaker,” said Turpin. “That’s the goal. Everybody can make plays. We’ve got all these weapons, so it’s gonna be hard to get everybody the ball. So me going into the backfield, that’s the one way to get me the ball.”

Head coach Brian Schottenheimer praised Turpin’s fearlessness and versatility, calling him a “weapon.”

Turpin played at the running back position in high school, so it’s not a new concept for him. He said that his smaller size has never stopped him from being confident to run through the holes and make plays.

At the moment, the Cowboys’ running back room is uncertain. It was a weak spot last season and they made some changes this year that should help, but it’s still not as strong as it could be, with veterans Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders likely competing for the RB1 spot, followed by rookie Jaydon Blue, Phil Mafah, and Deuce Vaughn. With Turpin in the mix, the Cowboys would be adding another weapon.

While all of this is positive news for the Cowboys and Turpin, he knows he’s got to improve off the field as well. Earlier this month, he was arrested for two misdemeanors: marijuana possession and unlawful carrying of a weapon. Turpin addressed the subject at training camp.

“At the end of the day, man, I gotta be better,” he said. " Me and Schotty, we had a great conversation, and we’re in a great place right now. At the end of the day, I’ve just got to be better. I’ve got to be better with my off-the-field issues."

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