Kansas City Chiefs CB L’Jarius Sneed has been targeted more than any other cornerback in the NFL through 2 weeks.

According to PFF, he’s also allowed a league-high 18 receptions, seven more than any other cornerback. Sneed has allowed a league-high 171 receiving yards and a single touchdown on 21 targets with 18 receptions across 56 coverage snaps.

This isn’t a matter of playing or being on the field more either. For context, the top NFL cornerback through 2 weeks has played 106 coverage snaps. Sneed has allowed 85.7% of passes thrown in his direction to be completed. He forced one incompletion and broke up a pass over two games.

Spagnuolo isn’t flinching despite the numbers

While the stats paint an ugly picture, Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo is not flinching. He knows Sneed brings something to his defense that other players simply don’t. That’s physicality, toughness, and veteran wherewithal that rubs off on the rest of the defense.

“Yeah, listen, you know he’s my guy, and you know he fights through the whole week with only getting a certain amount of reps because we want to be careful with his health and all that,” Spagnuolo explained on Thursday. “He brings an element to our defense that every coordinator likes. He’s a nasty, tough guy that plays hard and fast. Quite frankly, because I know he’s out there, I’ll put those guys in situations that I trust he’s going to get it done. You know, he’ll he’ll tell you that he’s a little disappointed in his performance in the game, but that doesn’t deter me at all from being confident in what he can do.”

Looking at other statistics, Sneed has missed just 6.3% of his tackle attempts, leading the league with 14 total tackles and five solo stops. Sneed is in a delicate spot right now, given the performance he’s putting on the field. On one hand, Spagnuolo does not want to lose that element of physicality and toughness. At the same time, his coverage needs to improve.

Mansoor Delane’s return could change the equation

Heading into Week 3 against the Miami Dolphins, the Chiefs are looking to get back No. 6 overall pick Mansoor Delane. It’s hard not to wonder if Kansas City won’t find ways to limit Sneed’s playing time now that Delane is potentially back and healthy.

The other two cornerbacks who have been playing over these first 2 weeks tell a completely different story. Christian Fulton and Noel Williams have been among the NFL’s top cornerbacks. Both have played over 60 coverage snaps themselves. They’ve allowed 50% and 57% of receptions, respectively, for very few yards and no touchdowns. Williams has two forced incompletions and two pass breakups.

How long can this last?

As the season progresses, if Sneed’s coverage doesn’t improve, it’ll quickly become unsustainable. Right now, it hasn’t cost the Chiefs in any negative shape or fashion, but there may come a time when Spagnuolo has to move off one of his favorite players or find a different plan to get him involved.

The physicality and toughness Sneed brings are valuable, but his struggles and coverage lapses through the first 2 weeks of the season demand attention. It seems Spags has no plans to move off him in Week 3 against the Miami Dolphins. Perhaps the best hope now is for a get-right game for the veteran cornerback.