Latest NFL news could cost Cowboys Pro Bowler his job
Following KaVontae Turpin's Pro Bowl season last year, the 2023 offseason hasn't been an ideal one for him. The Dallas Cowboys return specialist's path to the 53-man roster has become relatively cloudier in between seasons after the team picked RB Deuce Vaughn in the sixth round, who shares similar traits and who the team sees […]
Following KaVontae Turpin's Pro Bowl season last year, the 2023 offseason hasn't been an ideal one for him. The Dallas Cowboys return specialist's path to the 53-man roster has become relatively cloudier in between seasons after the team picked RB Deuce Vaughn in the sixth round, who shares similar traits and who the team sees as a potential returner.
But it's the latest NFL news that feels like an immediate blow to his chances of being a part of the 53-man roster.
Per NFL Network's Tom Pelissero, owners approved the resolution of putting the ball on the 25-yard line following a fair catch in a kickoff.
The rule essentially means there will be fewer kickoff returns moving forward. For several years now, the NFL has looked at potential rule changes that diminish the influence of special teams in an effort to reduce injuries. In this particular case, it appears the league is looking at diminishing concussion rates as kickoffs and punts have higher concussion rates than "regular" plays.
Pelissero tweeted that NFL executive Jeff Miller hinted at more rule changes in the future.
Per Miller, the return rates in kickoffs are expected to diminish from 38% to 31%. While it might not sound like a lot, it's really a decrease of 20% compared to last season.
It's also noteworthy that return rates in kickoffs were at 38% last year. That's already a surprisingly low figure that puts into perspective why fewer teams carry a full-time returner on the team.
That's where Turpin's job stops looking safe. Last year, the Cowboys only played him in 5% of the offensive snaps, and even in the limited playing time that he got, he was usually involved in a gadget-player-type way. Whether running jet sweeps, running a vertical to clear coverage, or just running a pre-snap motion, Turpin was a very small part of the offense.
Chances are the Cowboys won't look at him as a big part of the offense in 2023 either, which raises the question: Does he make the team as a returner only in a year in which the team will be incentivized to not return kickoffs at all?
After all, teams have to weigh the risk-reward of returning the football as opposed to just taking the starting position at the 25-yard line. Most returns end up right about there and if you can get such a spot without risking players to injury, why not do it every time?
Guys like Turpin can be that "why." He'll have to remind the coaching staff that he can be that difference-maker in training camp.
