Chiefs Announce Replacement After Unfortunate L’Jarius Sneed Move

The Kansas City Chiefs placed L’Jarius Sneed on injured reserve and signed cornerback Melvin Smith to the active roster.

by Chris Trant

Oct 31, 2026

The Kansas City Chiefs placed L’Jarius Sneed on injured reserve and signed cornerback Melvin Smith to the active roster.

Imagn Images

The Kansas City Chiefs are back to their winning ways after a disappointing 2025 season. Through the Chiefs’ first six games, they are 5-1 and in first place in the AFC West. The Chiefs suffered their first loss of the season on Sunday Night, and will now look to bounce back in Week 8 against the Denver Broncos.

In a busy offseason for Kansas City, one of their biggest additions was cornerback L’Jarius Sneed. Sneed rejoined the Chiefs on a one-year, $5 million deal after spending two years with the Tennessee Titans. Sneed spent the first four seasons of his career with the Chiefs after being drafted in the fourth round in 2020.

Kansas City Chiefs cornerback L’Jarius Sneed breaks up a pass intended for Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs

Denny Medley-Imagn Images via Reuters Connect

Sneed has appeared in all six games for the Chiefs this season, recording 32 total tackles, two forced fumbles, and three pass breakups.

However, his second stint in Kansas City has been interrupted by a lingering knee issue that also impacted much of his time in Tennessee. According to PFF, his overall grade of 36.2 ranks 94th out of 97 qualifying cornerbacks this season.

The injury situation became more serious on Saturday, as the Chiefs announced that they placed Sneed on injured reserve. He will be required to miss a minimum of four games, making him eligible to return in Week 12 against the Buffalo Bills.

To fill the roster spot while Sneed is absent, the Chiefs also announced they signed cornerback Melvin Smith to an active roster contract from their practice squad.

Smith is unlikely to slide into Sneed’s role, but he gives the Chiefs more depth as they wait for Sneed to recover.

Kansas City’s defense, which currently ranks 17th in passing yards allowed per game, will now have to rely on some of the less proven members of the cornerback room while they wait on the return of their veteran.