ARLINGTON, TX – September 28, 2026 – Detroit Lions running back Jacob Saylors earned head coach Dan Campbell’s game ball after a strong performance on special teams, while Dallas Cowboys return specialist KaVontae Turpin displayed his versatility on offense. The duo highlighted another strong week for former UFL stars across the NFL.
The Lions picked up a key home victory, with Saylors making an impact in the return game. The former St. Louis Battlehawk totaled 81 yards on two kick returns, including a 44-yard long. In a game decided by one touchdown, Saylors’ explosive returns helped set up strong field position on two Lions scoring drives.
Following the victory, Campbell credited the entire kick return unit for its performance before specifically recognizing Saylors with the game ball.
Let's keep this rolling pic.twitter.com/ZYxfFOJp5L
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) September 27, 2026
Also making an impact on special teams for Detroit was former Birmingham Stallion Jake Bates. The Lions kicker was perfect on the afternoon, converting his lone field goal attempt and all four extra-point attempts.
In Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Turpin once again made headlines. The former Philadelphia Stars weapon found the end zone for the first time this season, taking a jet sweep around the edge and into the end zone from nine yards out. The touchdown capped a 96-yard Dallas drive and gave the Cowboys the lead in the fourth quarter.
KAVONTAE TURPIN GIVES DALLAS THE LEAD 😤#UFLtoNFL pic.twitter.com/ySX0IkGElG
— United Football League (@TheUFL) September 27, 2026
Turpin also recorded one reception and returned one kickoff for 31 yards. His Cowboys teammate and former Stallion Brandon Aubrey converted three of four field-goal attempts and accounted for 11 points. His lone miss was blocked.
One of the UFL-to-NFL success stories from this past summer, Jayden Price, also delivered in Week Three. The former Arlington Renegades defensive back was one of the final cuts for the New Orleans Saints before the 2025 season, but spent the season on the team’s practice squad.
This year, Price earned a spot on the active roster following an impressive training camp and preseason campaign. He turned in the best performance of his NFL career in Week Three, recording four kickoff returns for 83 yards, along with an 11-yard punt return. He also recorded a special teams tackle and earned a 71.0 PFF grade.
Jalen Moreno-Cropper, formerly of the Houston Gamblers, also contributed in the return game, recording one kickoff return for 22 yards.
It was another productive week in the NFL for former UFL stars, with Turpin, Saylors and Price all making their presence felt. As more former UFL players continue to carve out roles at the NFL level, the league’s pipeline to the next level continues to grow.