Following Dallas’s 40-37 overtime victory over the New York Giants, attention turned to the team’s wide receiver depth. The Cowboys view KaVontae Turpin as a weapon who can capitalize on the coverage attention drawn by CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens. Lamb emphasized that Cowboys receivers must win their one-on-one matchups, an expectation that extends to Turpin as the team’s emerging third receiving option. However, Turpin suffered a trapezius injury during the game, potentially impacting his availability moving forward.

Turpin, though, is undeterred and upbeat about his game and availability. His statement about the next game was a bit concerning, though. “I’m going to go out there and play the way I play,” Turpin said. “Whatever happens, happens. They’ll have to take my whole shoulder out of my socket for me not to play. I’m just going to go out there and try to be me,” he added. Now, obviously, no one wants to see that. The Cowboys wish it didn’t come to that, as they are monitoring the situation.

Turpin had four catches for 47 yards and a touchdown in a win over the Giants. He’s been on the field, getting 28% of the snaps over the last two games. So his neck injury in Week 2 isn’t too surprising. And he’s planning to go all out in the upcoming game, too. Last year, in Week 12 against the Commanders, Turpin even left the opponents in awe with his “Houdini-style” moves. Slipping out of trouble and finding open space. The Cowboys definitely want to see more of those kinds of plays, even if it happens when he’s in a tight spot. But as the Cowboys use Turpin heavily and keep letting him take more hits, the WR and kickoff returner risk getting injured more.

While Turpin’s dedication to the sport and the team is commendable, this could take a different direction if he continues to play with an injury. Despite having a neck brace, the player confirmed that, “Good, I’m feeling good, the plan is go in there and play. That’s what me and Schotty talked about, what the trainers talked about… at this point, I’m playing.“

His injury looked concerning after he left the game against the Giants, but reports suggest otherwise. Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer confirmed that his tests came back clean and that he still has a chance to play against the Bears. There’s hope he can suit up in Week 3, but aggravating a delicate injury this early in the season would hurt both the team and the player.

“We want to be multiple, and he’s a guy that gives you that,” Schottenheimer said last week about Turpin. “He’s playing more receiver right now, and the reason for that is he is truly a weapon and his speed is different. He has developed. He’s earned that. He’s earned the ability to play more receiver. Of course, any time you want to get him the ball, teams are smart, they don’t want to kick to him.” After all, Turpin has been a crucial piece in the offense.

While the Cowboys have focused on their offense, the coach and owner have also turned their attention to the defense. After Parsons, Jadeveon Clowney was added to the roster. The coach made it clear that Clowney is not a replacement for Parsons, both Scottenheimer and the owner expressed their confidence in Clowney’s ability to strengthen the defense. Clowney echoed this sentiment, telling reporters that he is focused on proving himself during his one-year deal with the Cowboys.

“I got seven primetime games to prove and show the world. That was my whole thought on coming down here,” he told the reporters. If he can keep up the expectations, Clowney will have other better offers in his hand after a year, even if he can’t secure a place in the Cowboys.

As for now, the Cowboys will rely on their roster as it heads to face the Chicago Bears.

Schottenheimer will have two players back on the roster

Schottenheimer got some good news on the injury front this week. Their two key starters, cornerback Trevon Diggs and left tackle Tyler Guyton, were both back on the field Thursday (Sept. 18) after dealing with issues earlier in the week.

Diggs had started training camp on the PUP list while recovering from knee cartilage surgery. The injury sidelined him for the last six games of 2024. A year after he missed 15 games with a torn ACL. However, this time, his absence is not due to an injury related one. Diggs sat out Wednesday’s practice with an illness. So, it would be safe to assume that he will gear up for Week 3.

The Cowboys will want him at full strength to keep their unit intact. On the offensive side, Guyton worked his way back from a shoulder problem. He was limited on Wednesday but upgraded to a full go on Thursday. Both updates point toward Dallas having two important starters ready for game day.

With Diggs back in the secondary and Guyton locked in at left tackle, the Cowboys’ outlook for Sunday is a lot stronger than it looked just days earlier.