The Seattle Seahawks have received a notable update concerning one of the Kansas City Chiefs‘ top defensive backs ahead of their highly anticipated Sunday Night Football showdown.
Kansas City announced Saturday, Oct. 24, that veteran cornerback L’Jarius Sneed will not travel with the team to Seattle because of a personal matter.
However, the two-time Super Bowl champion is expected to meet his teammates in Seattle ahead of Sunday’s game at Lumen Field.
Sneed is battling a knee injury, leaving his availability up in the air for a matchup versus a top NFL receiving corps.
His status could certainly have implications for Seattle’s passing attack.
Chiefs Announce New Update on Sneed
The Chiefs disclosed Saturday that Sneed would travel separately from the team while maintaining his questionable designation for Sunday.
“CB L’Jarius Sneed is not traveling with the team today (personal) but will meet the team in Seattle,” Kansas City announced on X.
“Sneed’s game status remains Questionable with a knee injury.”
The news adds a wrinkle to Sneed’s preparation for an important interconference matchup.
According to the Chiefs’ official injury report, Sneed was a limited participant in practice Wednesday, Thursday and Friday while managing his knee problem.
The 29-year-old had the same questionable designation into Kansas City’s Week 6 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers, but ultimately suited up.
Sneed recorded five tackles, one pass defended and a forced fumble during the Chiefs’ 22-6 victory on Oct. 18.
The veteran has appeared in five games this season, compiling 30 combined tackles, three passes defended and two forced fumbles.
He returned to Kansas City in June after spending two seasons with the Tennessee Titans.
Sneed previously played an instrumental role in the Chiefs’ back-to-back Super Bowl victories following the 2022 and 2023 seasons. His impressive 2023 campaign included allowing zero touchdowns across 600 regular-season coverage snaps, per Chiefs.com.
Seahawks’ Jaxon Smith-Njigba Could Benefit From Sneed’s Absence
Sneed’s iffy availability is worth monitoring because of the sensational season Jaxon Smith-Njigba has produced.
The Seahawks’ star receiver enters Sunday’s showdown leading the NFL with 49 receptions, 717 receiving yards and seven touchdown catches through six games.
Smith-Njigba has surpassed 100 receiving yards in five of Seattle’s six contests, including a 12-catch, 134-yard performance against the Denver Broncos on Oct. 15.
And losing an experienced defensive back like Sneed wouldn’t help Kansas City’s secondary.
According to the Chiefs’ official depth chart, Sneed and rookie Mansoor Delane occupy the starting cornerback positions, with Kristian Fulton and Nohl Williams among the team’s additional options.
Fulton would be positioned for an expanded role if Sneed can’t suit up, although Kansas City has multiple ways to arrange its defensive backfield.
Regardless, the Chiefs have been formidable against opposing passing attacks.
As Seahawks.com noted Oct. 23, Kansas City has allowed a 74.1 passer rating and 6.1 yards per attempt, both ranking fourth in the NFL.
The Chiefs have also surrendered just four passing touchdowns, the second-fewest in the league.
That defensive capability has helped Kansas City notch a perfect 5-0 record entering its trip to Seattle.
Meanwhile, the Seahawks are looking to snap a two-game losing streak after falling to 3-3.
Quarterback Sam Darnold and the Seahawks’ offense may have a unique window to stress Kansas City’s secondary, as the veteran cornerback’s estimation is a vital storyline before Sunday’s 8:20 p.m. ET kickoff.
Seahawks Receive New Injury Update on Chiefs’ Key CB