L'Jarius Sneed still plagued by knee issues early in Titans training camp

Early in training camp is never a good time for a fan base to panic. NFL seasons are long and a lot of players are trying to get back to full stamina and strength in the early going of the preseason for all kinds of reasons on every team. Still, fans of the Tennessee Titans have to be somewhat concerned about the early returns on a remade secondary.

The Titans went all in on a wholesale reinvention of the cornerback position this offseason with a free-agent signing of Chidobe Awuzie, formerly of the Cincinnati Bengals, and a trade for L'Jarius Sneed, formerly of the Kansas City Chiefs. Together, the team committed over $100 million to them ($76M to Sneed alone over the next four seasons) to improve the team's pass defense.

So far, coaches and fans are having to wait to see any results—even early ones. Awuzie remains out for the next few weeks of training camp—if not longer—and Sneed himself is practicing on a day-by-day basis as he deals with a lingering knee injury that plagued him late last season for the Chiefs.

Fortunately for the Titans, the good news is that Sneed is staying positive through it all and says his knee actually feels "great." It's just more about taking precautionary measures to make sure he can play when it matters.

"The trainer, he’s getting me right with the plan and everything. In Kansas City, I didn’t do no camp at all but here, I’m trying to work through camp and get mental reps," Sneed told reporters on Thursday following practice.

"They have a plan for me, y’know? There are days where I do what I did today and days that I just practice. It’s a pretty good schedule they have for me."

When asked more about the nature of his injury, Sneed became a bit more direct. "I’m healthy. I just have to maintain it and get back to Week 1. That’s all I’m trying to get to." When asked why he's needing time away, he added, "Because of the procedure I was having, the things I’ve got going on with me."

Even when he's unable to practice fully, such as the case on Thursday, Sneed is trying to do everything he can to help his teammates turn the corner toward a greater defensive intensity.

"I was supposed to come back in and finish my rehab and whatever, but I stayed out there and watched those guys and coached them up on the plays. They ask me questions and I try to give them the best answer I can."

Sneed knows what it takes to be a part of a winning culture, having won two Super Bowls in his four seasons in K.C. And while the Titans are a work in progress, he still remains confident that the pieces are falling into place.

"Coming from the coach where I came from. I’m trying to bring that here. I know what winning looks like. We’re gonna get together and we’re going to be all right over here."