Tag: L’Jarius Sneed

Titans Injury Report: Gifford sits out, Spears Limited

The Tennessee Titans practiced Thursday and made a few changes to their weekly injury report.

The Tennessee Titans continued their preparations for their Week 3 matchup with the Green Bay Packers on Thursday.

While veterans Jeffery Simmons and L’Jarius Sneed returned to practice after being given an off day, the biggest news was centered on RB Tyjae Spears, who returned in a limited capacity. This in no way indicates whether Spears will be available this week; it does show that he is trending in a positive manner after being listed day-to-day by head coach Brian Callahan.  

Titans LB Luke Gifford sat out Thursday with a back injury after being a full participant on Wednesday. 

Gifford has been elevated from the practice squad for each of the season’s first two games and is a regular on special teams. If he can’t go on Sunday, this could cause problems for an already struggling unit. 

The Titans’ Thursday injury report can be found below:

Did not participate: LB Luke Gifford (Back) 

Limited participant: RB Tyjae Spears (Ankle)

Full participants: DT Jeffery Simmons (NIR-Rest), CB L’Jarius Sneed (NIR-Rest)

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Titans injury report: Tyjae Spears sits out

The Tennessee Titans released their first injury report for Week 3 with RB Tyjae Spears being held out with an ankle injury.

The Tennessee Titans returned to the practice field to start preparing for their Week 3 matchup against the Green Bay Packers, and it provided an opportunity to see where several of the team’s injured players are.

All eyes were on running back Tyjae Spears, who suffered an injury late in the game against the Jets. Early in the week, head coach Brian Callahan stated the running back would be “day-to-day” with his ankle injury. 

Unfortunately, he was the only member of the Titans who did not practice due to injury. DT Jeffery Simmons and CB L’Jarius Sneed were given a veteran’s maintenance day. 

The Titans’ Wednesday injury report can be found below:

Did not participate: DT Jeffery Simmons (NIR-Rest), CB L’Jarius Sneed (NIR-Rest), RB Tyjae Spears (ankle)

Limited participant: N/A

Full participant: N/A

The Packers had an extensive injury report for the first practice of the week, led by quarterback Jordan Love.

Former Titan Malik Willis is expected to start if Love doesn’t go.

 

Trent McDuffie recaps Little Caesars ‘Love Kitchen’ event, discusses Chiefs’ gameplan for Bengals

Kansas City #Chiefs CB Trent McDuffie recaps Little Caesars ‘Love Kitchen’ event, discusses gameplan vs. #Bengals w/ @EdEastonJr

The Kansas City Chiefs’ defense excelled in its Week 1 matchup against the Baltimore Ravens, due in no small part to the exceptional play of cornerback Trent McDuffie.

After the unit knocked off Lamar Jackson to start the 2024 regular season, critics are no longer questioning the effectiveness of Kansas City’s secondary after the departure of L’Jarius Sneed earlier this year.

McDuffie has continued to improve each game he plays, further solidifying his place at the summit of the league’s best cornerbacks lists.

Chiefs Wire’s Ed Easton Jr. spoke to the All-Pro cornerback after McDuffie hosted the Little Caesars’ Love Kitchen’ event at Arrowhead Stadium. He recapped the fantastic event with Little Caesars, the NFL’s Official Pizza Sponsor, spreading love to Kansas City and looking ahead to Week 2 against the Cincinnati Bengals.

“Man, it was awesome,” McDuffie said. “I kept saying my favorite thing was the actual ‘Love Kitchen,’ knowing that they served over 4 million families was honestly inspiring to me. The event overall was dope, the fans that were out here, the military families, signing autographs, taking pictures, they had music playing right in front of the stadium, and it was just an overall positive atmosphere.”

https://twitter.com/McKenzieMNelson/status/1832459458322010305

The Cincinnati Bengals will visit Arrowhead Stadium next Sunday with questions about the availability of their star wide receivers, Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. McDuffie doesn’t believe this will affect the Chiefs’ game plan or focus heading into Week 2 against their AFC rival.

“I don’t know if it’s going to change the overall game plan,” McDuffie explained. “Still, I think it definitely makes the preparation a little bit more tedious, just because now you have to account for backup receivers and maybe play backup tight ends and maybe different personnel. But the overall game plan and how you approach the game, I’m thinking both of them are going to play, and we’re going to have a battle and a challenge, and it’s going to be a really good game on Sunday.”

For more information on Little Caesars, the Official Pizza Sponsor of the NFL, log on to the website littlecaesars.com

Titans vs. Bears: 3 reasons for optimism in Week 1

The Tennessee Titans will have their hands full against the Chicago Bears in Week 1, but there are reasons for optimism in this match-up.

The Tennessee Titans open their 2024 NFL season on Sunday when they travel to Soldier Field to take on the Chicago Bears. The Titans look to start the Brian Callahan era off with a bang and have a retooled roster that can get it done.

In many ways, both teams are starting at square one: the Titans with a rookie head coach and the Bears with their prized rookie quarterback.

With so many changes made by both teams, it should be an interesting game, and the Titans have three reasons to be optimistic that they can bring this one home.

Denny Simmons / The Tennessean / USA TODAY NETWORK

The return of wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins

Though it’s not a given that he will play on Sunday, it is trending that way. Hopkins has been a limited participant in practice this week after sitting out most of the preseason with a knee injury. If he is able to go, his presence will be a huge boost for the offense, which really hasn’t had a chance to be at full capacity.

Denny Simmons / The Tennessean / USA TODAY NETWORK

The new cornerback tandem

The wide receiving corps and the secondary really haven’t had a chance to work together and gel, but the additions of free agent cornerback Chidobe Awuzie and the trade for L’Jarius Sneed give the Titans one of the best tandems in the league when healthy. Heading into Week 1, both are on track to start, and it should be a tough matchup for a rookie quarterback.

David Banks-USA TODAY Sports

Bears rookie quarterback Caleb Williams

Caleb Williams will make his first NFL start on Sunday after being taken number one overall in the 2024 NFL draft. While he did show flashes during the preseason, that does not compare to the defensive game plans he will experience in the regular season. With defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson’s attacking style, Williams should be prime for a welcome-to-the-NFL moment.

The Titans have plenty of reasons to be optimistic about their chances in Sunday’s game. A new coach, a new roster, and a new outlook are a few, but we won’t know for sure until they take the field.

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Chiefs DC Steve Spagnuolo on the uncertainty surrounding the second cornerback position

Kansas City #Chiefs DC Steve Spagnuolo on the uncertainty surrounding the second cornerback position | @EdEastonJr

The cornerback position is critical for any team in the NFL, and the Kansas City Chiefs already feature an All-Pro in Trent McDuffie but followed by question marks on the depth chart.

After Monday’s practice, Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo spoke with reporters about the lack of a standout for the second starting cornerback spot.

“It’s an unanswered question right now, to be honest with you,” said Spagnuolo. “With the injuries that we dealt with and the guys in and out, it was hard to say, ‘This is the guy that won the job,’ so, there will probably be a bunch of them (cornerbacks) playing. We mix and match a lot anyway, so there will be a lot of that going on.”

Defensive backs expected to be in the second cornerback spot include Joshua Williams, Jaylen Watson, Nazeeh Johnson, and Chamarri Conner. Spagnuolo indicated the importance of solidifying the slot cornerback spot in Thursday’s matchup with the Baltimore Ravens.

“I mean, the expectation is (that) they’re going to come in here and try to run it –which we get it. Hopefully, we can get them in situations where they’ve got to throw, and we can be good against that because this team – listen, they get noted as a running team – they can do everything,” said Spagnuolo. “They have really good wideouts; their quarterback can extend the down, we all know that. He’s (Ravens QB Lamar Jackson) accurate. I mean, we’ve got a great deal of respect for them. “

The Chiefs have officially moved on from L’Jarius Sneed. The first regular-season game will help determine whether they made the right decision not to retain the talented cornerback.

How confident are the Titans in their cornerback room?

The Tennessee Titans were a league anomaly after the initial breakdown of their roster, the carried a league low of cornerbacks.

When the Tennessee Titans made their initial cuts to get down to the mandated 53-man limit, they kept five tight ends and only four cornerbacks. It’s a fact that many found interesting and left the Titans in a category of their own, carrying the fewest of cornerbacks in the league. 

By comparison, no other team carried less than five, with a third of the NFL carrying at least six on the roster. Of course, the roster is in constant motion at this time of the season and adjustments have been made.

On Thursday, the Titans claimed former Indianapolis Colts cornerback Darrell Baker, adding another young cornerback to the active roster. But this is still a risky proposition. 

The unit is counting on veterans L’Jarius Sneed and Chidobe Awuzie to man the outside, with Roger McCreary in the slot. On paper, this looks like a solid starting group, but there are some concerns about how they will mesh together on the field when the action starts. Behind them sits rookie Jarvis Brownlee Jr., now Baker on the active roster. 

The Titans did add three more cornerbacks to the practice squad, Tre Avery, Gabe Jeudy-Lally, and Anthony Kendall, who are familiar with the system. This will give the team some added flexibility with elevation rules, so the team should not have issues with the lighter active roster. But it will be something to watch throughout the season.

Titans CB L’Jarius Sneed ‘ready to roll’ as regular season practices begin

L’Jarius Sneed hasn’t practiced much since joining the Titans in March, but he’s ready to roll and slated to be a full participant going forward.

The Tennessee Titans acquired cornerback L’Jarius Sneed through a trade with the Kansas City Chiefs back in March, adding much-needed veteran leadership to the team’s secondary.

But Sneed didn’t practice very much during training camp or other offseason practices. That was a design by Tennessee in an effort to keep an eye on his knees, which have plagued him for over a year.

Still, Sneed says he’s healthy and Brian Callahan said on Wednesday that he is slated to be a full participant in practice going forward.

“He’s practicing, so he’s ready to roll,” Callahan told reporters. “He should be a full participant with no limitations at every practice from now until we play. Part of the plan was to get him to this point. That’s why you didn’t see him in a ton training camp. Most of his work was done at walk-through sessions and jog-through sessions that you guys weren’t at, but he should be ready to roll.”

Sneed had his own comments for reporters as well.

“You know we’re back at it now,” Sneed said. “I’m back out here with the guys, we out here flyin’ around, just ready for next week.”

When asked if he was full practice, Sneed replied, “Yeah, I’m full practice and ready to go.”

Even though he hasn’t practiced much, Sneed has been around the locker room. He’s been at meetings; he’s been involved with the team and is getting to know his teammates. We’ll see in Week 1 if what the Titans have done with Sneed was successful or not.

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Former Chiefs defensive back responds to offseason trade to Titans: ‘I was bitter’

Former Kansas City #Chiefs DB L’Jarius Sneed responds to offseason trade to Titans: ‘I was bitter’ | @EdEastonJr

The Kansas City Chiefs made many changes during the offseason to improve the team, which led to sacrifices at certain positions. The decision to trade top cornerback L’Jarius Sneed to the Tennessee Titans during the offseason continues to be felt by the defense leading into the new season.

Sneed opened up about the trade and his immediate reaction to head coach and Andy Reid after he was dealt to Tennesse. He was featured as a guest on ‘The Pivot‘ podcast to explain his mindset after not being retained by Kansas City.

“Yeah. Man, I didn’t talk to him. I was upset. Man, I was upset. Kansas (City), you know, that’s like my first love,” said Sneed. “So many ways, it showed me how to be a champion. Gave me two rings. And, you know, it’s just (that) I was bitter, you know, I was angry because I wanted to stay. And that environment around everybody I was used to. But, you know, it’s God’s plan.”

Sneed was a crucial part of the Chief’s defense, often matching up and shutting down the best receiver on the opposing team. Defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo and his former teammates in Kansas City have been vocal about his absence since training camp.

Titans’ L’Jarius Sneed a potential first-time Pro Bowler?

Tennessee Titans cornerback L’Jarius Sneed is still searching for his first Pro Bowl. Could it happen in 2024?

The NFL preseason is always a time to look ahead and attempt to predict which players will take the next step in their careers. It is also a time to assess a roster and project who will be the next Pro Bowler to emerge.

Ken Patra from NFL.com predicted one potential Pro Bowler from each team. He came up with a surprising name for the Tennessee Titans: cornerback L’Jarius Sneed.

It is mindboggling that Sneed hasn’t received any postseason accolades. No Pro Bowl. No All-Pros. Maybe voters dislike all the penalties the physical corner collects? (Shrug emoji.) All I know is that Sneed is a bully who makes receivers work for everything. His -29.7 target EPA ranked third among corners in the NFL last season (min. 300 snaps), and his -.33 EPA/target was fourth, per NGS. Now in Tennessee after a March trade, Sneed will lead a revamped defense under new coordinator Dennard Wilson. Helping turn around a unit that was torched under the previous regime should finally bring Sneed the recognition he deserves.

The Titans made a splash this offseason by rebuilding their secondary, with Sneed being the centerpiece of the overhaul. After working out a trade with the Kansas City Chiefs, the Titans rewarded Sneed with a four-year, $76.4 million deal, including $55 million in guaranteed money and a $20 million signing bonus. 

For the former 2020 fourth-round pick out of Louisiana Tech, Sneed has a contract that supports his on-field accomplishments, and now all he needs is postseason accolades to catch up. Since being drafted, he has started 57 regular season games over the past four seasons, and he’s recorded 10 interceptions, 6.5 sacks, and 40 passes defensed. The two-time Super Bowl champion is now looking to become a first-time Pro Bowler, and the Titans will benefit from his presence in the back-end of their secondary.

 

Titans’ Jeffery Simmons, two others unlikely to play in preseason

The Tennessee Titans will likely keep Jeffery Simmons, Harold Landry, and L’Jarius Sneed sidelined during all preseason games.

The Tennessee Titans are coming off their first win of the preseason after topping the San Francisco 49ers, 17-13, at Nissan Stadium on Saturday night.

Outside linebacker Harold Landry and defensive lineman Jeffery Simmons were among those who did not dress for the game, and the Titans are not expecting them to see the field at all in preseason, head coach Brian Callahan said in his media availability on Sunday.

Landry, 28, played in all 17 games, including 10 starts, last season and recorded 70 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, 21 quarterback hits, and 10.5 sacks in his first season back from ACL surgery. The Boston College product missed the first week of training camp due to an illness and lost a significant amount of weight, so the Titans are likely erring on the side of caution here.

With Landry out of the lineup, Tennessee is allowing Shane Ray, Jaylen Harrell, Rashad Weaver, and Caleb Murphy to showcase themselves in the preseason schedule.

Simmons missed the final five games of the 2023 NFL season with a knee injury. The 27-year-old had 44 tackles, including 10 for loss, 11 quarterback hits, and 5.5 sacks through 12 games.

Add cornerback L’Jarius Sneed to the list of players who are not expected to see the field in preseason as well.

The 27-year-old has been on a management program since the Titans acquired him from the Kansas City Chiefs and signed him to a long-term extension. Sneed has been limited in his training camp sessions thus far.

The former fourth-round pick in the 2020 NFL draft has accumulated 303 tackles, 10 interceptions, and 40 passes defensed through his first four seasons.

With Sneed and Chidobe Owuzie (calf) out, rookie cornerback Jarvis Brownlee Jr. has been turning heads in training camp through his physical play and ability to break up passes.

Tre Avery, Gabe Jeudy-Lally, and Tay Gowan have also taken advantage of more playing time.

The Titans will hold joint practices with the Seattle Seahawks ahead of their Week 2 preseason matchup on Saturday.

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