FRISCO, Texas – For the first time in his career, KaVontae Turpin has been named NFC Special Teams Player of the Week.
He only made one significant play in last Sunday’s game – but it was certainly one of the most electrifying plays in team history.
Turpin’s 99-yard kickoff return for a touchdown gave the Cowboys a commanding lead in an eventual 34-26 win over Washington to snap Dallas’ five-game losing streak.
The play didn’t start off favorable for Turpin, who bobbled a line-drive kickoff and had to field back at the 1-yard line, followed by a slow jog up the field. But then Turpin used a spin move that would resemble a video game, followed by a burst of speed that left the Commanders in the dust.
Turpin became the first player this season to have both a kickoff return and a punt return for touchdowns, as he scored in Week 1 against Cleveland with a 60-ayrd punt return. Turpin also has two touchdown receptions.
He’s just the fifth player since the NFL-AFL merger to have 60+ yard touchdowns as a punt returner, kick returner and receiver in the same season.
Turpin is also the second Cowboys player to have a rushing touchdown, receiving touchdown, kickoff return touchdown and punt return touchdown in his career, joining Kevin Williams.