The Kansas City #Chiefs emerged as big winners in their trade that sent star DB L’Jarius Sneed to the Tennessee #Titans.
When the Kansas City Chiefs traded star defensive back L’Jarius Sneed to the Tennessee Titans, few fans thought that the team got enough in return for one of its most outstanding players.
In the move, Kansas City sent Sneed to Tennessee in exchange for the Titans’ third-round pick in the 2025 NFL draft and a pick swap that involved 2024 seventh-round selections.
On Sunday, Tennessee ended its regular season campaign with a 23-14 loss to the Houston Texans, which dropped the Titans’ record to 3-14, which tied for the league’s worst mark.
As such, the Chiefs are now set to make the No. 66 selection in the 2025 NFL draft using the pick they gained by trading Sneed to Tennessee.
The Chiefs used the franchise tag on L’Jarius Sneed to buy a window to trade him to another team.
In turn, KC receives the 66th pick in the 2025 draft from the Titans. https://t.co/MpQtTMVftK
Early draft picks in the middle rounds are among the most valuable assets that a football team can have, especially while they are actively contending for titles and generally picking later in each round.
By receiving the No. 66 selection instead of, say, the No. 96 pick (the final non-compensatory pick in the third round), Kansas City maximized the value of the trade that sent Sneed to the Music City.
Kansas City #Chiefs defensive backs coach Dave Merritt comments on injuries in the secondary: ‘The next guy is ready’ | @EdEastonJr
The excessive injuries on the Kansas City Chiefs roster haven’t stopped them from winning this season, but it’s still a concern. Chiefs defensive backs coach Dave Merritt spoke with reporters on Thursday about the challenges of dealing with injuries, especially in the secondary.
“I go back, and I think back to the AFC Championship game when LJ (L’Jarius Sneed) went down, and all of a sudden, Josh (Williams) had to go in the game and play after five snaps,” said Merritt. And so not that you want to see this happen, but you know, when you’ve had injuries, the amount of injuries that we’ve had guys in and out, you want to make sure that the next guy is ready.”
The Chiefs recently dealt with injuries to Joshua Williams and Nazeeh Johnson and the season-ending loss of Jaylen Watson. Veteran cornerback Steven Nelson was signed to the practice squad this week as insurance for the postseason.
“We always try to teach our guys and make sure that everyone understands the role that they need to go in and be ready to play. And with that comes a lot of responsibility on the players to make sure they know what they’re doing when the defense is called. So, but it’s not easy.” said Merritt. “You wish everyone would stay healthy. I’m quite sure all the other 30-plus teams would want the same thing. But once you have an injury, you have to be able to overcome it, and hopefully, your next guy is ready to go because everyone’s a starter when you’re in the room.”
Merritt and the coaching staff’s continued confidence in their young secondary has been crucial in their development. The group is essential in their hopes of three-peating as Super Bowl champions.
In some final moves before the Week 12 AFC South battle, the Titans made a few roster moves that had been previously announced. The team officially placed linebacker Jack Gibbens (ankle) and cornerback L’Jarius Sneed (quad) on injured reserve. Both players will now miss at least the next four weeks, with Gibbens likely to miss the remainder of the season.
Tennessee also elevated veteran cornerback Daryl Worley from the practice squad for the game. This standard elevation is the third for Worley making him ineligible in the future unless the team signs him to the active 53-man roster.
The Titans now have two open roster spots after moving Gibbens and Sneed to injured reserve, leaving room to sign Worley if that is the direction the front office chooses to follow. Fellow cornerback Chidobe Awuzie could also be making his way back to action and a roster spot would be needed to activate him from injured reserve.
The Titans and Texans kick-off at 1pm EDT on Sunday at NRG Stadium.
The Tennessee Titans are set to place cornerback L’Jarius Sneed on injured reserve with a quadriceps injury, per sources.
The Tennessee Titans have been without star cornerback L’Jarius Sneed for weeks with a quadricep injury. At first it was thought to be a strain, but an MRI showed that the injury was worse than initially thought. His quad is just strained, his quad is bruised.
Sneed hasn’t played since the October 13 matchup against the Indianapolis Colts while dealing with this injury, and now he’s set to miss at least four more weeks when the Titans place him on injured reserve on Saturday, per Jim Wyatt.
L’Jarius Sneed headed to Injured Reserve tomorrow for @Titans
Regarding Sneed’s injury, Callahan stated that it’s been complicated. “It’s been complicated,” he said. “More complicated than a normal strain would be, so the rest is the best thing for him at this point.”
Sneed was traded to the Titans from the Kansas City Chiefs after the Chiefs placed a franchise tag on him in March. After joining the Titans, Sneed signed a four-year $76.4 million contract.
Over five games in 2024, Sneed recorded 23 tackles (19 solo) and 2.5 stuffs. Over his career, Sneed has shown that he is capable of so much more. He has the potential to be a lock-down corner on top-tier receivers when he’s healthy.
Callahan isn’t ruling out a return this season, but ultimately, getting Sneed healthy is the goal no matter how long it takes.
Tennessee Titans cornerback Roger McCreary headlines a list of players that did not practice Thursday ahead of this critical AFC Sounth battle.
The Tennessee Titans were back on the field Thursday in preparation for their Week 12 AFC South battle with the Houston Texans.
Running back Tyjae Spears, who remains in concussion protocol, was held out for a second day in a row putting his availability for this week in doubt. The same can be said for starting cornerback L’Jarius Sneed (quad), who once again missed practice and is unlikely to suit up on Sunday. Cornerback Roger McCreary, defensive back Justin Hardee and offensive tackle Leroy Watson were also held out.
Wide receiver Calvin Ridley, defensive lineman Sebastian Joseph-Day, defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons and linebacker Kenneth Murray returned to practice on Thursday.
The Titans’ Wednesday injury report can be found below:
Did not participate: CB L’Jarius Sneed (quad), OT Leroy Watson (back), LB Jack Gibbens (ankle), RB Tyjae Spears (concussion), DB Justin Hardee (groin), CB Roger McCreay (knee)
Limited Participant: N/A
Full participants: Jeffery Simmons (NIR/rest), DT Sebastian Joseph-Day (biceps), WR Calvin Ridley (illness), LB Kenneth Murray (shoulder)
The Tennessee Titans released their first injury report for Week 12 and see multiple starters on the sidelines.
The Tennessee Titans dropped a tough one on Sunday against the Minnesota Vikings and suffered some damaging injuries in the process.
Heading into Week 12, it is already known that linebacker Jack Gibbens will be out and likely placed on injured reserve prior to kickoff. Gibbens suffered a devastating lower leg injury that required surgery on Monday. Since has not been placed on IR yet, he was a non-participant.
Running back Tyjae Spears (concussion) and linebacker Otis Reese IV (ribs) were also injured during that contest. Spears is in concussion protocol and did not practice, while Reese practiced and was not listed on the injury report.
Starting cornerback L’Jarius Sneed (quad) did not practice and is likely out for Week 12. Wide receiver Calvin Ridley, tackle Leroy Watson IV, defensive lineman Sebastian Joseph-Day, defensive back Justin Hardee, defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons, Cornerback Roger McCreary, and linebacker Kenneth Murray did not practice
Defensive Back Justin Hardee was limited with a groin injury.
The Titans’ Wednesday injury report can be found below:
Did not participate: CB L’Jarius Sneed (quad), Jeffery Simmons (NIR/rest), OT Leroy Watson (back), CB Roger McCreary (knee), DT Sebastian Joseph-Day (biceps), WR Calvin Ridley (illness), LB Jack Gibbens (ankle), DB Justin Hardee (groin), LB Kenneth Murray (shoulder), RB Tyjae Spears (concussion)
The Tennessee Titans released their final injury report for Week 11 and will be down two starters against the Minnesota Vikings
The Tennessee Titans will take on the Minnesota Vikings at Nissan Stadium in Nashville Sunday in Week 11 action
Coming off another loss, the Titans will be down two starters including tackle Leroy Watson in this one. With Watson out, tackle Nicholas Petit-Frere will get the start at right tackle.
Cornerback L’Jarius Sneed (quad) continues to be out and will miss his fifth game. Sneed has not practiced since injuring his quad and there is no official timetable for his return.
Starting cornerback Jarvis Brownlee was a late addition to the injury report with an ankle injury. He does not have an injury designation for the week after being limited on Friday. Cornerback Justin Hardee was also limited and is questionable for Week 11.
Tennessee Titans
Out: CB L’Jarius Sneed (quad), OT Leroy Watson (back)
Outside linebacker Arden Key, cornerback Roger McCreary and defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons all were full participants and running back Tony Pollard was limited. This is a positive sign for Key and McCreary who sat out Wednesday due to injury.
The same cannot be said about cornerback L’Jarius Sneed and tackle Leroy Watson, as both players missed their second day of practice heading into Week 11. They were joined on the sideline by defensive back Justin Hardee, who was limited on Wednesday with a groin injury.
The Titans will wrap up their practice week on Friday and release their final injury report.
The Titans complete Thursday injury report is below.
Did not participate: CB L’Jarius Sneed (quad), OT Leroy Watson (back), CB Justin Hardee (groin)
Limited participant: RB Tony Pollard (NIR/rest)
Full participant: DT Jeffery Simmon (NIR/rest). CB Roger McCteary (knee), OLB Arden Key (back)
Tennessee Titans cornerback L’Jarius Sneed opened up on his quad injury with reporters on Wednesday and admitted it’s been a tough slog.
The Tennessee Titans have played most of the season without their two starting cornerbacks. Chidobe Awuzie was placed on injured reserve (IR) during Week 4 with a groin injury and L’Jarius Sneed has missed the past four games with a quad injury.
L’Jarius Sneed surprised how long it has been with his injury.
Sneed was not placed on IR, but has shown no real signs of returning. After not practicing on Wednesday, Sneed spoke to some reporters about his status and his frustrations.
“Just taking it day to day,” he said, “Unfortunately.”
He continued to talk about how surprising it has been to recover from this quad injury. One that was originally called a substantial quad bruise and later after an MRI a quad strain.
“It’s been tough, it’s been hard,” he said. “I want to be out there with my brothers, my teammates. It’s been kind of challenging for me that I can’t get out there. Coming into my first year with the organization, trying to make a name for myself here, it’s been kind of challenging, and frustrating.”
With Sneed on the sideline and with no timetable for his return, disappointment has started to set in for both the fans and the player. The Titans have survived, but their secondary is down three starters from opening day and have shown cracks in recent weeks.
The team will return to practice on Thursday, and all eyes will be focused to see if Sneed can get back on the field in some capacity.
The Tennessee Titans square off in a Sunday afternoon battle against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 11. Here are three reasons for concern.
The Tennessee Titans host the Minnesota Vikings at Nissan Stadium on Sunday at 12:00 p.m. CST.
The Titans’ 2024 season has been rough. Not that anyone expected Brian Callahan to come in and take this team to the Super Bowl in his first season, but people expected a better showing than what we’ve seen so far. It’s not all bad, but there’s a lot of work to be done.
The Vikings, on the other hand, are 7-2 and sit in second place in the NFC North, right behind the Detroit Lions. Their biggest goal is to keep winning and hope the Lions lose or they make wild card weekend. In the toughest division in the NFL this season, the Vikings have their work cut out for them to make the postseason.
Those concerns don’t start for the Vikings this week, though. Up against a Titans team that isn’t playing like it can, the Vikings are heavy favorites this week. That’s certainly a cause for concern for the Titans, although not the only one. Let’s take a look at three causes for concern for the Titans heading into Week 11.
Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union
Vikings boast the top run defense in the NFL
The Vikings typically have a strong defense year-to-year, but this year they hold the top spot in the league with their run defense. In 2024, the Vikings have allowed just 711 rushing yards, that’s an average of 3.8 yards per carry or 79 yards per game. They’ve allowed only two run plays over 20 yards and only one over 40 yards. This is as stout of a run defense as we’ve seen in a long time.
The concern here is that the Titans’ offense goes through Tony Pollard and Tyjae Spears on the ground. That is simply not going to be effective against the Vikings, so Brian Callahan and Nick Holz better have a plan in place for when the run game fails.
Photo by Harry How/Getty Images
More defensive players sporting injuries
Titans cornerback L’Jarius Sneed has missed weeks with a quad injury, which was recently revealed to be a substantial bruise and a strain. He’s not happy and feels guilty that he’s not out there on the field, but he’s not alone. Injuries on the defensive side of the ball have been a problem all season. The concern this week is there are three new defenders with injuries: Arden Key has a back injury, Roger McCreary is dealing with a knee injury, and Justin Hardee has a groin injury.
We won’t know if they will carry an injury designation into the game until Friday, but that none of them practiced on Wednesday shows they all needed rest.
The severity of these injuries isn’t apparent yet, so all three of them may still play this week. Even so, the defense is already struggling with injuries and fatigue, so adding more isn’t helpful.
Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
The offensive line is still a problem
Last week, Will Levis was sacked seven times. The Los Angeles Chargers rank fifth in sacks this season, and the Vikings are right behind them in the sixth spot. They’ve recorded 30 sacks this season, and the Titans’ offensive line simply isn’t going to fare well against the Vikings’ defensive front.
Leroy Watson IV and John Ojukwu will likely continue to rotate at right tackle, although Watson is nursing a back injury now, so who knows how much he will play. On the left side, rookie JC Latham has largely done his job well, but fatigue started to set in last week against the Chargers and could be seen in his play.
The Titans’ offensive line has allowed 28 sacks this season and seven of them happened last week. Brian Callahan and Nick Holz have to find a way to keep Levis protected against a strong Vikings defense in Week 11.
