The Tennessee Titans acquired cornerback L’Jarius Sneed from the Kansas City Chiefs in the offseason to help provide Dennard Wilson’s defense with a No. 1 corner. General manager Ran Carthon then signed him to a four-year contract worth $76.4 million. Sneed unfortunately hasn’t been healthy for the Titans this season.
Sneed last played for the Titans in a Week 6 defeat to the Indianapolis Colts. He’s missed four consecutive contests since, including a win over the New England Patriots, and Sunday’s loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. The Titans never placed Sneed on IR, but he’s already missed four games. Head coach Brian Callahan recently said he’s still week-to-week as he’s dealing with an injury that is more significant than initially believed.
Callahan: L’Jarius Sneed still week to week for @Titans
— Jim Wyatt (@jwyattsports) November 11, 2024
Sneed has played 301 snaps for the Titans this season. With so many injuries at cornerback, rookie Jarvis Brownlee Jr. (407) has been Tennessee’s most-snapped corner this year. Nickel cornerback Roger McCreary is in second place with 394 snaps.
If Sneed doesn’t play versus the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday, which feels likely, he’ll be surpassed by Darrell Baker Jr. on the snap count as well. Baker Jr., who was claimed off waivers in August, is starting opposite Brownlee Jr. on the boundary. Tennessee’s vision at cornerback hasn’t gone according to plan.
Pro Football Focus has credited Sneed with allowing nine receptions on just 21 targets this season. Despite allowing an outstanding completion percentage of just 42.9%, PFF has assigned him a lackluster coverage grade of 36.8. Sneed has allowed just 11.9 yards per catch and a passer rating of 74.9. He’s allowed one touchdown and been whistled for four penalties.
The Titans are 2-7, tied for the league-low amount in victories. It wouldn’t be shocking if the Titans shut Sneed down for the remainder of the campaign based on their unenthusiastic record. Regardless of the 2024 campaign, hopefully Sneed can still be a building block for a more competitive Titans squad in 2025. If not, Carthon’s aggressive decision to acquire him will come under scrutiny.