The Dallas Cowboys lost KaVontae Turpin almost immediately on Sunday, with the Pro Bowl returner sustaining a rib injury on the opening kickoff against the Packers and going to the locker room after being examined on the sideline.
Turpin, who entered Sunday as a three-time Pro Bowl selection, returned the kickoff 25 yards before the injury forced him out of the game. It was a harsh early setback for a player the Cowboys have trusted in the return game and in selected offensive roles.
Tyler Goodson steps in
After Turpin left, Tyler Goodson replaced him as the kick returner. That change put an immediate spotlight on a part of the game Dallas had to adjust to before the rest of the contest had properly settled.
Turpin has been a valuable weapon for the Cowboys, with 27.5 yards per kick return and 11.1 yards on punts in 2024, along with one kickoff return for a touchdown and one punt return for a score. He also contributed in the offense, catching four passes for 39 yards and adding two runs for 10 yards.
The issue for Dallas is not simply the injury itself, but the disruption it creates at a position where field position matters. When a Pro Bowl returner goes down on the first play, it changes the feel of the game straight away.
A difficult early blow for Dallas
Turpin has shown enough over the past few seasons to matter to the Cowboys in more than one phase. He has now made three Pro Bowl selections, with his return production and occasional offensive touches giving Dallas useful flexibility.
For now, though, the immediate focus is on the injury and on how long the Cowboys may have to manage without him. Tyler Goodson had to take over on the spot, and that is the kind of early change that can shape the rest of a game.
