NFL Makes Punishment Decision After Chiefs, Justin Herbert Incident

Andy Reid and the Chiefs got unwelcome news about cornerback L’Jarius Sneed less than a day before facing the Seahawks.

by Yagya Bhargava

Oct 24, 2026

Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert.

Denny Medley-Imagn Images via Reuters Connect

Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs are 5-0 to open the 2026 NFL season, with Andy Reid’s team set to face the reigning champion Seattle Seahawks, who are 3-3. The trip is a reunion for running back Kenneth Walker III, the Super Bowl MVP now with the Chiefs, who will meet his old team.

Before that trip came a 22-6 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers at Arrowhead Stadium in Week 6.

During a first-quarter scramble, Justin Herbert reached the Chiefs’ 22 after a six-yard run and slid, and as cornerback L’Jarius Sneed went airborne to clear him, his knee landed on Herbert’s helmet.

Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert throws a pass as Kansas City Chiefs cornerback L’Jarius Sneed attempts to block.

Denny Medley-Imagn Images via Reuters Connect

The 15-yard penalty put the Chargers on the Kansas City 11, and the drive ended in a field goal. The hit lands in Sneed’s return season with the Chiefs, who signed him on June 9 after Tennessee let him go in March.

Now, with kickoff in Seattle less than 24 hours away, the NFL has fined Sneed $6,750 for unnecessary roughness. Replays appeared to show him steering clear of Herbert, but the rules place responsibility on defenders once a quarterback has started to slide, so a fine followed the flag.

Sneed was not the only Chief fined. Teammate Christian Roland-Wallace was docked $5,981 for unnecessary roughness as well, following his fourth-quarter ejection for throwing a punch at Chargers lineman Alex Harkey.

A knee injury restricted Sneed’s practice reps all week, and he is listed as questionable. He also stayed off the Chiefs’ flight Saturday because of a personal matter, though the team expects him to join them in Seattle.

Across five games, including four starts, the cornerback owns 30 tackles and three passes defended, and opposing quarterbacks are 29 of 38 for 258 yards when they throw his way.

The Chiefs will visit the Seahawks on Sunday at 8:20 p.m. ET at Lumen Field.