Kansas City Chiefs cornerback L’Jarius Sneed is in concussion protocol and will not return to the AFC Championship game against the Buffalo Bills after suffering a head injury in the third quarter.
CB L’Jarius Sneed is being evaluated for a concussion. pic.twitter.com/PJeZsZBIao
— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) January 25, 2021
Once a player is in concussion protocol they cannot return. Sneed was shaken up while breaking up a pass to Bills wide receiver Stefon Diggs. He had 5 tackles and 1 sack for the Chiefs in the 38-24 victory over the Bills.
Sneed’s replacement, Rashad Fenton, came up huge for Kansas City just a few plays later, intercepting a pass from Josh Allen in the red zone late in the third quarter. Fenton returned the ball 30 yards to put the Chiefs in great field position as they looked to close out the game.
Sneed, a rookie cornerback who was selected late in the fourth round of the 2020 NFL Draft, missed nine games earlier this season after he was placed on injured reserve after suffering a fractured collarbone against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 3.
Sneed had three interceptions in his nine games this season, and allowed a passer rating of 54.2 when targeted and a completion rate of 59.6 percent. Fortunately for Sneed, he will have an extra week off to recover thanks to the two-week break before the Super Bowl.
Fellow Chiefs Patrick Mahomes and cornerback Bashaud Breeland were both under concussion protocol last week after suffering injuries in the divisional round against Cleveland, but both were cleared to play in the AFC Championship game.
Sneed finished the regular season with 41 total tackles, 3 quarterback hits, 2 sacks, 7 pass deflections, and 3 interceptions for the Chiefs.