NFL Week 3 Injury Spotlight: Marcus Epps ACL Tear

In week 3 we saw several notable injuries; however, Las Vegas Raiders defender Marcus Epps suffered a season ending injury. The Raiders most experienced defensive starter sustained an ACL rupture in their 36-22 loss against the Carolina Panthers. Late in the 3^rd quarter he lunged for a tackle and his knee buckled. He laid on the field with trainers performing on-field testing and eventually limped off the field on his own power. With the suspicion of an ACL tear he will have an MRI early this week to confirm and then will be scheduled for season ending surgery.

The ACL is one of the most commonly injured knee ligaments. ACL tears are graded based on the severity of the tear. Grade 1 is mild damage, with the ligament slightly stretched but continues to provide stability. Grade 2 is moderate damage to the ligament where it is stretched and has become loose, often referred to as a partial tear. Grade 3 is a complete tear or rupture and is typically torn in half or pulled off the bone, leaving the knee unstable.

Unfortunately for Raider Nation, Marcus Epps has most likely suffered a complete rupture of the ACL and will require season ending surgery to get back out on the field next season. ACL surgery involves replacing the ruptured ligament with a substitute graft made of tendon. This substitute graft is either an autograft (from their own body) or an allograft (from a donor). These grafts typically come from the patellar tendon, hamstring tendon, or quad tendon. During surgery the surgeon will drill bone tunnels into the tibia and femur so they can place the graft. Once the graft is in place it is secured with screws, buttons, or another device.

After surgery Epps will begin physical therapy right away. He will be in a brace and most likely non-weightbearing, however weightbearing restrictions are surgeon dependent. The first two weeks of PT will be heavily focused on decreasing swelling, pain management, improving range of motion, and getting quadriceps control back. The physical therapist will focus manual therapy techniques to decrease swelling and improve knee range of motion. Gentle exercises will begin to engage the quadriceps muscles and improve mobility. As Epps progresses through the protocol, he will begin to progress strengthening exercises and begin balance training. He is a high-level athlete and will need to be challenged appropriately. With strength and balance improvements he will next progress his endurance and functional activity tolerance. He will begin plyometric and agility training to regain his speed and quickness. Return to sport activity will follow with the re-introduction of football drills under supervision. Once cleared to return to full activity he will be released to return to his team.

Raider Nation will miss Epps for the season, but they can look forward to his return next season. He will return stronger, quicker, and faster than before. He will regain his status as one of the Raiders top defensive players in the backfield for the 2025 season!

Don’t forget to give Portsmouth PT a call if you run into any injuries so we can help you get Back to Sports, Back to Work, and Back to Life!