Report: Safety Marcus Epps out for season
The Las Vegas Raiders’ ugly home loss to the Carolina Panthers got even more painful as the team has reportedly lost another defensive starter for the season.
NFL Media reported Monday afternoon that Las Vegas starting safety Marcus Epps tore the ACL in his knee in Sunday’s 36-22 loss to Carolina. He badly limped off the field and went to the locker room and did not return.
Epps signed as a free agent last year and had a strong first season with the Raiders. He was considered a defensive leader and coaches credited him for his communication skills on the field.
Third-year player Isaiah Pola-Mao replaced Epps on Sunday and he is line to be the starter with fellow safety Tre’von Moehrig for the rest of the season. The Raiders may look to add some depth at the position. Their current backups are Chris Smith and undratfed rookie Thomas Harper. Seventh-round pick Trey Taylor is on the injured reserve and he is eligible to return net week if healthy.
Epps is a free agent in March and there was some speculation the Raiders would try to extend him this year. Last week, it was reported that starting defensive end Malcolm Koonce would be out for the season. Koonce, who is also a free agent in March, was injured in practice three days before the season opener.
Andy Dalton’s success in win over the Raiders increases concern about Bryce Young
The Carolina Panthers’ stunning 36-22 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday showed coach Dave Canales was correct when he said Andy Dalton gives his team the best chance to win.
At the same time it increases concern about Bryce Young’s ability right now to lead the team and raises even more questions about his chances of being a franchise quarterback.
Dalton did all the things the ineffective Young hasn’t been able to do for most of his brief NFL career: force defenses to honor the passing game, move the Panthers down the field with confidence and win. Dalton finished 26 of 37 for 319 yards and three touchdowns. Young hadn’t thrown a touchdown passes in his previous four starts; Dalton had three before halftime.
Dalton’s success proves just how far Young has to go in his development.
Young was 2-16 as an NFL starter before being benched by Canales last Monday in a move that surprised some around the league and caused many to question Carolina’s commitment to the No. 1 pick in the 2023 draft, even though Canales said the Panthers have no plans to trade him.
Dalton’s confidence was evident from the start, and his teammates seemed rejuvenated.
The 36-year-old fearlessly threw into tight windows, hung in the pocket to make plays and provided
a confidence in the huddle the team seemingly lacked in Young over the first two weeks of the season when the Panthers were outscored 73-13, including 50-3 in the first half.
Dalton found five different receivers for gains of 20 yards or more on Sunday just one week after the Panthers were held to one pass play of 20 or more yards with Young under center in a blowout loss to the Los Angeles Chargers.
