The Raiders had been dealt a significant blow throughout Sunday’s loss. Security Marcus Epps suffered an ACL tear, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reported on Monday.
Epps was a part of the Raiders’ efforts to rebuild within the secondary final offseason. He inked a two-year deal as a free agent price $12M. That pact included $8M in guarantees, and it proved to be a worthwhile funding from the crew’s perspective final 12 months. The 28-year served as a full-time starter, gathering 66 tackles and three move breakups. Related play was anticipated of him in 2024, however his consideration will as a substitute flip to restoration.
As Pelissero famous, Epps’ knee is in any other case intact, which is a constructive signal concerning his long-term outlook. In the interim, although, the Raiders might be shorthanded on the security spot. The Wyoming product logged greater than 1,000 defensive snaps for the second straight 12 months in 2023 and changing him might be a tall order for Las Vegas. The crew ranks twenty eighth in scoring protection by three video games, together with poor numbers in opposition to the move (226 yards per sport), and people figures may worsen in Epps’ absence.
The previous Viking and Eagle didn’t maintain down a full-time beginning function in Philadelphia till his remaining 12 months with the crew. Epps didn’t ship sturdy protection statistics that season, however his management and communication made him a horny possibility for the Raiders to pair with Tre’von Moehrig. The latter had his finest season so far in 2023, however he’ll shut out the present marketing campaign with a brand new security companion. The likes of Isaiah Pola-Mao, Amari Burney, Christopher Smith and Trey Taylor are choices to tackle an elevated defensive function.
The information of Epps’ damage comes not lengthy after it was realized beginning defensive finish Malcolm Koonce can be out for the year. These absences will depart the Raiders and not using a pair of impactful defenders transferring ahead as they give the impression of being to enhance upon a 1-2 begin. With practically $28M in cap area, Oakland has the monetary flexibility so as to add security depth.
For Epps, a former sixth-rounder, this damage will little question affect his free-agent worth. Epps will look to rehab in time for the beginning of the 2025 marketing campaign, however his market is not going to be as sturdy as it could have been had he remained wholesome and productive for Vegas.
