KaVontae Turpin’s arrest differs from Lions’ Jameson Williams in a way that increases likelihood of a suspension for Cowboys WR originally appeared on A to Z Sports.

Following the arrest of Dallas Cowboys All-Pro kick returner KaVontae Turpin, the question in most fans’ minds is all about his availability for the 2025 NFL season: Will he be suspended or not? 

With the way the NFL handles its personal conduct policy, much of this is guesswork but let’s try our best here to figure out how big of a deal the whole thing is. 

First, let’s start with the details of what happened.

Advertisement

KaVontae Turpin’s arrest was for a couple of misdemeanors

Turpin was in Collin County Jail for one day and initially charged with two misdemeanors: Marijuana possession and unlawful carrying of a weapon. According to Mike Fisher, the combined bond was set at $1,500. According to the Dallas Morning News, Turpin was released Sunday.

Turpin was driving at 97 mph in a 70 mph zone when he was pulled over. 

The fact that it was only misdemeanors helps Turpin’s case, but it’s still subject to the NFL’s personal conduct policy. At minimum, we know to expect the league to investigate the situation. 

Jameson Williams’ case suggests KaVontae Turpin won’t be fined, but. . .

In the aftermath of the unfortunate news, many have pointed to Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams as a recent comparable case. The league investigated Williams after he was briefly detained and put in cuffs during a traffic stop in October, 2024. Williams was riding as a passenger and informed police offers he had a gun under his car. In February, the NFL made the decision to not discipline Williams.

However, there are major differences to both cases. Firstly, Williams wasn’t charged nor arrested. He was cuffed and questioned in the back of a police car and later let go.

Advertisement

The biggest question is how different will the NFL treat Turpin’s case based on there being an arrest and multiple charges involved, as well as speeding. Personal history can also be a factor, per the league’s policy and the Cowboys WR does have multiple domestic violence chargers in his past. He was dismissed from TCU in 2018 because of them. 

Though marijuana possession can still be reviewed since he was charged for it, the league has relaxed its disciplinary practices in that area to the point where players are not even suspended for positive tests. That combined with the fact that the gun charge was still a misdemeanor only, there’s a big chance Turpin escapes with no playing time punishment. 

My educated guess? Turpin won’t be suspended. But it is far from a guarantee and the Williams’ case isn’t truly that comparable given there were no charges involved and no arrest.

Regardless, Turpin has to be smarter than this

That doesn’t change the bottom line. Turpin has to be smarter than this. You can’t be driving 27 miles per hour over the limit while having marihuana and unlawfully carrying a gun. One and a half month separates the Cowboys’ offseason program from training camp in Oxnard, California. You’ve got to stay out of trouble. 

Be smarter.

Related: ‘I want to play this year’ – Former DPOY could reunite with Dallas Cowboys, but he just made it clear it won’t be an easy task

View the original article to see embedded media.

This story was originally reported by A to Z Sports on Jul 7, 2025, where it first appeared.