The Eagles are getting some reinforcements in the secondary - and not a moment too soon.
On Tuesday, the team officially opened the 21-day practice window for veteran safety Marcus Epps, who’s been on Injured Reserve since Nov. 1. That means Epps is eligible to return as early as Monday night when the Eagles head to Los Angeles to face the Chargers.
And with how thin the Eagles are at safety right now, his return could be a timely boost.
Rookie Drew Mukuba, who had been carving out a role in the secondary, suffered a fractured ankle late in the game against the Cowboys and required surgery. He’s now on IR, and there’s a real chance his rookie season is done. That leaves the Eagles scrambling for stability on the back end - something Epps could help provide.
Last week against the Bears, the Eagles rolled out Sydney Brown alongside Reed Blankenship. Brown, another young player with upside, had a tough outing.
What’s interesting is that earlier this season, Epps appeared to have leapfrogged Brown on the depth chart. In fact, Epps had already started to pick up defensive snaps in place of Brown before his injury.
So while Epps hasn’t played much on defense this season - just 15 snaps - he’s been a steady contributor on special teams with 119 snaps logged. And his experience in this system can’t be overlooked.
Philadelphia brought Epps back into the fold just before the season, signing him to the practice squad on Aug. 28 after he was released by the Patriots. He was elevated three times - the maximum allowed - and then signed to the active roster on Sept.
- His familiarity with the Eagles' scheme and personnel gives him a leg up in terms of making an immediate impact.
Epps isn’t just a depth piece, either. From 2019 to 2022, he played in 54 games for the Eagles, starting 25.
He was a full-time starter on the 2022 team that made a Super Bowl run, and his steady presence on the back end was a key part of that defense’s success. After that season, he signed a two-year deal with the Raiders and started all 17 games for them in 2023.
Unfortunately, his 2024 campaign was cut short when he tore his ACL in Week 3.
Now, healthy and working his way back, Epps could be a crucial piece down the stretch for a team still fighting for playoff positioning. His ability to step in and bring veteran leadership - especially with a young group of safeties - shouldn’t be underestimated.
In a corresponding move, the Eagles released veteran defensive back Parry Nickerson from the practice squad on Tuesday. That opens up a spot, potentially paving the way for another roster tweak in the coming days.
Bottom line: If Marcus Epps is ready to go, the Eagles' secondary just got a little more stable - and a little more experienced - at a time when they need it most.