L'Jarius Sneed, Willie Gay Jr. Out vs. Chargers

The Kansas City Chiefs have ruled out cornerback L'Jarius Sneed and linebacker Willie Gay Jr. for Thursday night's game against the Los Angeles Chargers.

The Kansas City Chiefs have ruled out cornerback L'Jarius Sneed and linebacker Willie Gay Jr. for Thursday night's game against the Los Angeles Chargers.

Sneed returned to the team after missing Sunday's game against the Las Vegas Raiders following the death of his brother late last week but will not suit up on Thursday. Gay is designated with "Reserve/Covid" on the Chiefs' team website, making him the third Chief to be added to the COVID list this week.

The Chiefs have not made a formal ruling on defensive lineman Chris Jones or wide receiver Josh Gordon, who both remain on the COVID-19 reserve list, as of the publishing of the team's Wednesday injury report.

Andrew Wylie is questionable for tomorrow's game. L'Jarius Sneed and Willie Gay are out.https://t.co/VyIzBXa73i

— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) December 15, 2021

Gay's placement on the COVID-19/reserve list is the latest addition to a game that was already likely to be without Gordon or Chargers left tackle Rashawn Slater (who were both placed on the reserve list on Monday), in addition to Jones (who was placed on the list on Tuesday). Jones and Gordon are not required to have an injury designation today since they are not on the Chiefs' active roster. Jones or Gordon could feasibly produce two negative COVID tests 24 hours apart, allowing them to return for the game, but with Gay presumably testing positive on Wednesday, his window would be too narrow to see the field Thursday night.

If the Chiefs do not officially activate Jones or Gordon before the game, they will be inactive without an injury designation, similar to how players on the injured reserve list do not receive a designation.

What does this mean for the Chiefs' defense?

If Jones doesn't return, the Chiefs would be without three of their most vital starters on defense. Gay has been instrumental in Kansas City's defensive turnaround and has helped keep fellow linebackers Anthony Hitchens, Ben Niemann and Nick Bolton in roles that they have been successful in. Sneed's absence last week left safety Tyrann Mathieu to spend more time in the slot, leading to more playing time for Daniel Sorensen. Jones has been an elite pass-rusher for years, but the Chiefs' entire pass-rushing unit has been especially strong over the last several weeks, built around the star defensive lineman.

The absence of all three would be a massive blow to KC's defensive efforts against an electric Chargers offense led by quarterback Justin Herbert. 

You could make the argument that Slater and Jones (roughly) sort of offset, maybe Ekeler and Gay could too, but I'd still feel better about the KC defense if both sides were fully healthy. https://t.co/uGssTO3I2Y

— Joshua Brisco (@jbbrisco) December 15, 2021