Raiders Rumors: Marcus Epps Out for Season After Knee Injury Diagnosed as Torn ACL

Las Vegas Raiders safety Marcus Epps will miss the remainder of the 2024 season after being diagnosed with a torn ACL, per NFL Network's Tom Pelissero.

Epps suffered the injury during Sunday's loss to the Carolina Panthers.

Pelissero reported that while he did sustain a torn ACL injury, there was no other damage and he'll be ready for the 2025 season. Epps will be a free agent this offseason.

Epps, who signed with the Raiders before the 2023 season, has started every game since joining the team. Last year, he tallied 66 tackles, a forced fumble and three passes deflected. Through three games this season, he picked up 19 tackles, the second most among Las Vegas' defense.

Along with his presence on the field, Epps has quickly emerged as a leader for the Raiders, being named a team captain in each of his seasons with Las Vegas.

A former sixth-round draft pick out of Wyoming, Epps began his career with the Minnesota Vikings before being traded to the Philadelphia Eagles during his rookie year. He stayed with the Eagles from 2019 to 2022, tallying a career-high 94 tackles in his final season in Philadelphia.

After a strong year in 2022, Epps inked a two-year, $12 million deal with the Raiders. While he was hoping to put together a big year ahead of his free agency, he'll instead hope either Las Vegas or another team is still willing to give him a lucrative contract despite the injury.

Following Epps' injury on Sunday, Isaiah Pola-Mao came in for him at strong safety, picking up a pair of tackles in the fourth quarter, but it's not clear whether Pola-Mao will move to the starting spot or if Las Vegas will look to Chris Smith II.

Pola-Mao, who is in his third season in the NFL, has a slight experience advantage over Smith, who was a fifth-round pick in the 2023 NFL draft.