This summer, Paul Turner caught an NFL-high 17 passes during the preseason on his way to becoming a cult hero among Eagles fans, who have been clamoring for him all season.
Fans got their wish Monday, when Turner was promoted from the practice squad to the 53-man roster.
And according to Turner, he’s an even better player now than the one fans remember.
“I think so,” Turner said by his locker Wednesday afternoon. “I think I’ve worked on little things day in and day out. Going against guys like that each and every day on the practice squad, it just makes you be a better player. Or else you’ll go out there and they’ll dog you each and every day. I think that’s helped me become a better player overall.”
Turner, 23, made the Eagles’ original 53-man roster but was cut in favor of Bryce Treggs in early September. He cleared waivers and was signed to the Eagles’ practice squad on Sept. 5 and stayed there until Monday.
While spending the last two and a half months on the practice squad was tough for Turner in some respects, as he tried to patiently wait for an opportunity, that time also made him a better player.
As a practice squad member, Turner worked with the Eagles’ scout team, which goes against the first-string defense every day. Facing guys like Malcolm Jenkins and Rodney McLeod daily helped him “perfect (his) craft.”
NFL
Really, where it helped was in the little details, especially being aggressive in and out of routes.
“It helps tremendously,” Turner said. “I was talking to David Watford, another scout team guy. We talk about it each and every day. You get to work on things each and every day and you get to go against guys and give them your all because you try to give them the best look you possibly can so they can go out there and execute on Sunday. Going against them each and every day, it makes you hone in on the little details on focusing on catching the football and looking it in. I think it just helps out a whole lot.”
It was a long wait for the call-up to the 53-man roster for Turner. He admitted it was “most definitely” tough to wait for his turn, but he remained confident his chance would come.
For many fans, Turner’s chance is coming far too late, especially with the struggles of the receivers ahead of him.
But waiting isn’t anything new for Turner.
After being voted the Louisiana Sports Writers Association 5A Most Outstanding Offensive Player following his 2010 senior high school season, Turner went to LSU, where 2011 became a redshirt year. In 2012, he played in nine games but was behind guys like Odell Beckham Jr., Jarvis Landry and Sterling Shepard.
“He had some guys in front of him, but he never complained,” said Eagles cornerback Jalen Mills, who was a teammate of Turner’s for two seasons at LSU. “He ended up transferring, but he was still the same guy, making all the catches, running short, precise routes. Same guy.”
That same guy transferred to Louisiana Tech and sat out the 2013 season before becoming a productive player for the Bulldogs in 2014 and 2015. In two years at LA Tech, he had 87 catches for 1,171 yards and seven touchdowns.
He just had to wait for the opportunity to star in college.
Maybe he just had to wait for his opportunity in the NFL too.
“No doubt,” Mills said. “For everything that Paul has been through, going to LSU, being one of the top players coming out of Louisiana, not being able to play, then to transfer and being here and now finally getting a chance, I’m very happy for him.”
It’s unclear if Turner will actually be active and play Monday night against the Packers. If he does, head coach Doug Pederson said he sees Turner as an inside receiver, which could create opportunities for Jordan Matthews outside.
Meanwhile, the Eagles’ receiver situation is pretty fluid this week as Pederson tries to figure out what to do with Nelson Agholor (see story).
But there seems to be a decent chance Turner will get to suit up for his first NFL game Monday, and he’d get to do it in front of fans who have worshipped him since August.
Fans aren’t alone in their admiration for Turner.
“I like Paul. I like his competitiveness,” Matthews said. “He definitely brings the element of surprise because when you look at him, he don’t look too assuming, but he can go out there and make plays, so I like that about him. He comes in, he works hard every single day. He can catch the ball. He can go out there and make some spectacular catches. He made one in the preseason. Hopefully, he can duplicate that same type of playmaking ability when he comes out and plays with us Monday night.”