Marcus

Epps

Smith reportedly re-injured the triceps muscle that he tore during Super Bowl LIX. He underwent surgery to repair the torn tissue this offseason. The Eagles believe Smith will not require surgery and hope to have him back “around” their Week 9 bye. Players placed on injured reserve are eligible to return after missing four games. The Eagles also placed CB Jakorian Bennett and WR Darius Cooper on injured reserve with undisclosed injuries. Both players are likewise expected to avoid surgery and are expected to return around Week 9. The Eagles signed S Marcus Epps, TE Cameron Latu, and CB Parry Nickerson to the active roster, and LB Lance Dixon, DB Eli Ricks, and WR Quez Watkins to the practice squad.

Epps primarily lines up as a free safety but is perhaps a better run defender than a coverage defender at this point in his career. The 29-year-old safety is coming off of a torn ACL but is “expected to be cleared well before training camp,” per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.

Epps had provided a 32.2 PFF tackling grade and a 44.0 PFF coverage grade in three games for the Raiders in the back end. This is the final year of a two-year deal signed with the Raiders in 2023 and it seems likely that he will be rehabbing the injury as he hits free agency. The fifth-year safety will turn 29 in January.

Epps suffered a neck injury last week against the Dolphins and wasn’t able to finish the game, so him suffering a stinger here is a bit concerning. If the Raiders were to lose their starting safety, that would be a big boost for the Chiefs and Patrick Mahomes as they try and pass their way out of an early 14-0 hole.

Epps is the Raiders’ starting safety and exited Week 11 with a neck injury. He recovered a fumble earlier in the game but won’t return as the Raiders try to slow down the speedy Dolphins offense.

A part-time player whose role had gradually grown, 27-year-old Epps became an every-down player for the Eagles in 2022. He was not a difference-maker, though he also wasn’t a liability for Philly’s elite defense. He will be more exposed in the Raiders’ mediocre unit, but there is no reason he can’t at least be a solid contributor. Epps is far better against the run than he is in coverage.

Wallace suffered a separated shoulder in Week 3 against the Cowboys and will miss at least the next three weeks. Wallace had played the second most snaps among Philadelphia safeties this season. Marcus Epps will likely enter the starting lineup starting in Week 4 against the Chiefs.

A former walk-on — he was a finalist for the 2018 Burlsworth Trophy, which is awarded annually to the nation’s top walk-on — Epps (6'0/197) had a productive four-year amateur career for Wyoming, totaling 324 tackles and nine interceptions over 50 career games for the Cowboys. A lightly-regarded prospect, Epps enters the NFL without much of a scouring report.

The free safety enjoyed a productive four-year stay in Laramie, totaling 324 tackles and nine interceptions over 50 career games for the Cowboys. Epps (5'11"/204) was also one of three finalists for the Burlsworth Trophy—awarded annually to the nation’s top walk-on—in 2018, but lost out to Clemson receiver Hunter Renfrow.