A USB header port can only handle one device, so it has to go into a hub to support multiple USB-C ports for a multi-device configuration. You could do USB header -> Hub -> Extensions and then expose ...
Not all front USB ports are created equal, and yours might be the worst kind ...
We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again: USB-C is confusing. A USB-C port or cable can support a range of speeds, power capabilities, and other features, depending on the specification used.