KC Chiefs enter bye week with several injury questions to answer
By Matt Conner
L’Jarius Sneed
The Chiefs secondary has already been lights out for most of this season. Bashaud Breeland has shut down opposing receivers ever since he returned from a suspension, and the team’s pass defense has ranked among the league’s best through 9 weeks. That said, the team’s top playmaker through the first few weeks of the season is ready to return and it should be good to see L’Jarius Sneed back for the Chiefs.
Sneed was the Chiefs fourth round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft and he was given immediate starter reps on the outside—literally 99 and 100 percent of all defense snaps played through the first two games—despite the lack of rookie minicamps or preseason games. Sneed responded with consecutive interceptions in both games and showcased incredible instincts for such a young player in early wins over the Houston Texans and L.A. Chargers.
Then came Week 3 in which Sneed broke his collarbone. Suddenly one of the early season’s most exciting young rookie defenders was lost for several weeks. He’s already missed six games and if he’s not ready after the bye week, it’s going to be even tougher for him to return in game shape to play meaningful football down the stretch.
Given the way that the Carolina Panthers moved the ball through the air on Sunday, the Chiefs clearly have areas to improve on their pass defense. Getting Sneed back could go a long way toward firming that unit up.