Cowboys receiver KaVontae Turpin JUAN CARLO/THE STAR / USA TODAY NETWORK

Cowboys insider hints that fan-favorite could miss 53-man roster

By Jeff Smith | Last updated 8/14/23

The Dallas Cowboys are set to have a number of incredibly tough roster decisions as preseason rolls on and Week 1 draws near. Among the positions with the main decisions worth noting is wide receiver, which becomes especially interesting following the team's addition of Brandin Cooks this offseason and the strong play of Jalen Tolbert in the preseason opener.

Even prior to the start of training camp, the buzz surrounding the fourth and fifth wide receiver spots was garnishing attention, and it's only ramped up more after one game. In a breakdown of the position, Cowboys insider Calvin Watkins of the Dallas Morning News had one surprising name left off the final roster — KaVontae Turpin.

WRs are Brandin Cools, Michael Gallup, Jalen Tolbert, CeeDee Lamb. The bubble: Turpin, Houston, Fehoko and Brooks. Brooks and Fehoko should make the 53. But …
— Calvin Watkins (@calvinwatkins) August 13, 2023

As Watkins notes, he believes third-year Simi Fehoko and rookie Jalen Brooks receive the nod with the first four names. In turn, this would leave Turpin on the outside looking in, which would be a major surprise following his 2022 Pro Bowl selection as a returner.

While last season was Turpin's first with the Cowboys and first in the NFL, many fans were calling for him to earn more work on offense this coming season. Turpin returned 29 punts for 303 yards and 21 kicks for 508 yards during the regular season while also tacking on three rushing attempts for 17 yards and one catch for nine yards.

Obviously, a lot can change over the coming weeks as preseason rolls on, but it'd be a shock, regardless of how the Cowboys' wide receiver group pans out, if Turpin is left off the 53-man roster. Don't be surprised to see head coach Mike McCarthy give the 27-year-old some additional work on offense over the next week or two in preseason play while he attempts to sort out what could be the toughest decision on the Cowboys roster heading into the regular season.

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