Eagles safety Marcus Epps was not on the team’s initial injury report Thursday but the team released an update on Thursday evening that Epps has a concussion.
Here’s the announcement from the Eagles: “Following today’s practice, S Marcus Epps reported symptoms to the team’s medical staff. After being evaluated, it was determined he has a concussion.”
Epps, 29, is now in the NFL’s concussion protocol and will have to clear that protocol before he’s able to return.
The Eagles have already elected to rest key starters for their Week 18 game against the Commanders but it’s unclear if the plan was to play Epps. The veteran has played well next to Reed Blankenship in the second half of this season and has helped solidify the back end of the defense.
Here’s the full injury report from Thursday:
DNP: DT Jalen Carter (hip), LB Nakobe Dean (hamstring), TE Dallas Goedert (knee), T Lane Johnson (foot), OLB Jaelan Phillips (ankle)
Full: LB Jihaad Campbell (back/shoulder), S Marcus Epps (concussion)
Epps this season has played in 12 games and has started 4. He has played very well since taking over the starting job. Epps’ experience has been on display the last month.
For most of the season, the Eagles started rookie Drew Mukuba at the safety spot next to Blankenship in the secondary but Mukuba fractured his ankle in Dallas on Nov. 23 and has been on Injured Reserve after having surgery. The Eagles started Sydney Brown for one game before activating Epps off IR from a shoulder injury and starting him.
The Eagles initially signed Epps to their practice squad after training camp but eventually signed him to the 53-man roster. Before his IR stint coming off the bye week, Epps had played just 15 defensive snaps all season. Since his return, he has played 235 and is fully expected to be the starter when the playoffs begin next weekend.
Epps is in his seventh NFL season and his second stint with the Eagles. He was a full-time starter for the Super Bowl season in 2022.