KaVontae Turpin injures rib on opening kickoff as Packers beat Cowboys 23-13

What happened to Turpin

KaVontae Turpin injures rib on opening kickoff as Packers beat Cowboys 23-13 is trending because the Cowboys' Pro Bowl returner got hurt on the first play of Sunday's game at Lambeau Field and never came back. Turpin took the opening kickoff back 25 yards and was tackled awkwardly, injuring a rib on the play. He was examined on the sideline before heading to the locker room for good.

Running back Tyler Goodson took over as Dallas' kick returner for the rest of the afternoon. Green Bay went on to beat Dallas 23-13. The Cowboys did not get their top return weapon back for the rest of the game, and that showed up in a field position battle Dallas was already losing on the scoreboard.

What Dallas was missing in the return game

Turpin entered Sunday averaging 27.5 yards per kick return with a long of 48 yards, plus 11.1 yards per punt return. Those numbers are why he has been one of the few true field-position weapons in the league the last few years. Losing him on the opening play meant Dallas handed that job to Goodson cold, with no chance to get comfortable before the game started tilting toward Green Bay.

Turpin has not been limited to special teams work either. He has caught four passes for 39 yards and carried the ball twice for 10 yards this season, the kind of extra usage that teams give a player once they trust him with the ball in open space.

Why he is a name people know

Turpin joined the Cowboys out of the USFL and turned himself into a three-time Pro Bowler, earning the honor in 2022, 2024 and 2025. He has one career kickoff return for a touchdown and one career punt return for a touchdown, the explosive plays that built his reputation and the reason his exit on the first snap of the game was immediately noticeable to anyone watching.

What we know and what we do not

What is confirmed: a rib injury, suffered on the opening kickoff return, sideline exam, locker room, done for the day, Goodson in as the replacement returner, and a 23-13 final in Green Bay's favor. What is not yet known: there is no word on how severe the rib injury is or when Turpin might be back on the field. Any update on that will have to come from the team.

For now the practical next step is simple. Dallas plays again, and whether Turpin is out there returning kicks will depend on how that rib responds in the days ahead.

Facts per ESPN, ESPN box score, ESPN box score. Opinion is the taproom's.