Hobbled Titans CB Sneed (quad) to be put on IR

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Tennessee Titans cornerback L'Jarius Sneed will be placed on injured reserve Saturday according to coach Brian Callahan. Sneed suffered a quad injury when he took a helmet to the thigh in Week 6 against the Indianapolis Colts.

Sneed told ESPN the injury occurred in the third quarter. The injury was initially diagnosed as a quad bruise, but a further scan revealed it was actually a strain.

"It didn't get better very fast," Callahan said. "We felt like we had a chance to get him back, but it has not progressed and has been more complicated than a normal strain would be."

Callahan went on to explain they put Sneed on injured reserve because rest is the best thing for his injury. Sneed has 23 tackles in five games this season.

"It's been tough," Sneed said earlier this month. "I want to be out there to help my brothers. It's been challenging for me that I can't get out there coming into my first year with the organization to make a name for myself here and get respect."

The Titans sent a third-round pick in 2025 along with a 2024 seventh-round pick (221) to the Kansas City Chiefs for Sneed and a 2024 seventh-round pick (252). Sneed signed a four-year, $76.4 million contract in March after the trade.

Tennessee also signed free agent cornerback Chidobe Awuzie to a three-year, $36 million contract at the start of free agency. Awuzie injured his groin earlier, landing him on injured reserve on Sep. 27.

Rookie cornerback Jarvis Brownlee Jr. started in place of Awuzie in Week 4 against the Miami Dolphins while second-year cornerback Darrell Baker Jr. has started in place of Sneed since Week 7 against the Buffalo Bills.

Although Sneed hasn't been able to do anything on the field while he's injured, the veteran said he has made it a point to share his notes and tips with the younger players in meetings.

"He took me under his wing and had just been feeding me knowledge," Brownlee said. "It's been helping me with my game a ton."

Callahan said the Titans' plan to open Awuzie's 21-day window to return from injured reserve next week and expects the process of getting him back on the field to be quick. As for Sneed, Callahan didn't rule out the possibility of Sneed's return before the season is over.