The Titans’ revamped cornerback group has suffered heavy losses this season. Chidobe Awuzie has not performed since Week 3, and L’Jarius Sneed will be part of the free agent signing on IR.
Sneed is transferring to the injured listing, per NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero, attributable to a quad harm. Sneed has not performed since Week 6; this can tack on 4 extra absences to the extremely paid cornerback’s ledger in what has been one other powerful season for the Titans’ CB corps on the harm entrance.
Tennessee hardly ever noticed 2021 first-round decide Caleb Farley wholesome, serving to to result in this overhaul. The Titans let Kristian Fulton and Sean Murphy-Bunting stroll in free company, including Awuzie on a $12M-per-year contract after which extending Sneed upon buying him from the Chiefs. Even with Patrick Surtain signing an extension and Jalen Ramsey being paid once more, Sneed’s $44M assured at signing (third amongst corners) outflanks each. The Titans haven’t seen the previously dependable Chiefs cog justify the payday but.
The Chiefs tagged Sneed however did so, as Chris Jones was the staff’s precedence in free company, with the understanding he can be traded. Kansas Metropolis allowed the younger starter to discover a commerce accomplice. After a number of groups checked in, the value didn’t dazzle. Though it solely price the Titans a 2025 third-rounder to accumulate a tagged performer, the staff wanted to reward the participant with an extension. Sneed, 27, definitely commanded a profitable payday due to changing into a reliable boundary starter throughout the Chiefs’ previous two Tremendous Bowl-winning seasons; he simply has not stayed wholesome for his new staff but.
Although snubbed for the Professional Bowl, Sneed allowed only a 51% completion charge because the closest defender (at 4.8 yards per goal) and a 56.2 passer ranking. The Louisiana Tech alum didn’t yield a landing final season, taking part in an elite stage for a Chiefs staff all of a sudden unable to depend on its star-studded offense. Kansas Metropolis, nevertheless, has handed on paying cornerbacks over the previous a number of years. The staff additionally traded Marcus Peters and let the likes of Charvarius Ward, Kendall Fuller and Steven Nelson stroll; the Chiefs have continued to churn out CBs, although Jaylen Watson‘s harm this season has uncovered this plan a bit. The reigning champs are nonetheless in higher form than the Titans at this place.
Awuzie has been down with a groin harm, although he’s anticipated to be designated for return subsequent week. The Titans gave the ex-Cowboys and Bengals starter a three-year, $36M deal that got here with $19M at signing. Sneed didn’t follow this week, and slot cog Roger McCreary has additionally missed each Tennessee practices main as much as its Week 12 recreation. Sneed had not performed properly earlier than being shelved; Professional Soccer Focus rated the previous Steve Spagnuolo lockdown possibility because the worst nook amongst certified choices this season.
Because the Titans take a long-term method throughout a season that has produced a 2-8 report, they are going to hope to see Sneed and Awuzie staff as much as a minimum of set up some momentum for the long run. Sneed can’t return till Week 16. The Titans have primarily used waiver declare Darrell Baker and fifth-round rookie Jarvis Brownlee on the perimeter this season.
