Who Should I Start? KaVontae Turpin or Jalen Royals

Thursday, July 24, 2:31 PM

Dallas Cowboys wide receiver/running back KaVontae Turpin is seeing an increased workload in the backfield during training camp, according to Patrick Walker of DallasCowboys.com. Turpin is an All-Pro return man, and Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer wants to get the ball in his hands in a variety of ways. He logged 31 catches and 16 carries for a career high 512 yards from scrimmage in 2024. Walker writes that Turpin has taken handoffs in both first and second-team drills and "made the most of each opportunity." The Cowboys' running back room is an uncertain one, as veterans Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders appear to be competing with fifth-round rookie Jaydon Blue for the starting job. Turpin is unlikely to take over a significant portion of Dallas' available carries, but it sounds as though there will be a concerted effort to utilize him on offense.

Thursday, July 24, 2:10 PM

Kansas City Chiefs rookie wide receiver Jalen Royals "took most of his repetitions with the first-team offense" during the team's practice on Wednesday, according to ESPN's Nate Taylor. Taylor notes that Royals worked alongside Chiefs wideouts Hollywood Brown and Xavier Worthy, while Rashee Rice was "oftentimes" on the sideline. With Rice facing a suspension to begin the season, it appears as though Royals may be the leading candidate to earn playing time in his absence. Kansas City drafted Royals in the fourth round of the 2025 draft out of Utah State. He played in just seven games last year in college but still managed 55 catches for 834 yards and six touchdowns. The Chiefs also have veterans JuJu Smith-Schuster and Skyy Moore, who could step into a bigger role while Rice is sidelined. It's a good sign for Royals that he appears to be the preferred option early in camp.