The Seattle Seahawks lost rookie safety Bud Clark to a broken ankle on Sunday, August 23. He got injured on Seattle's first defensive snap in its 19-16 preseason loss to the Tennessee Titans.

Speaking to the reporters after the game, Seahawks quarterback Drew Lock reflected on the injury and the difficult timing for Clark. The No. 64 overall pick had been working his way into the defense since arriving in Seattle.

"Yeah, that's one thing you obviously try to avoid as much as you can in the preseason games. It is the life of football, though," Lock said. "... Bud (Clark) coming in, working as hard as he has, figuring the system out, finally getting comfortable, to have something like that, I don't know what happened. But it was serious enough to get carted off."

Medical staff placed an air cast on Clark's right leg before he was taken from the field. Head coach Mike Macdonald later told reporters that Clark had suffered a broken ankle and would miss multiple months.

"I just think, like, to see how our team reacted. We had the whole team go out there to give him some love. I think that tells you what everybody thinks about him," Macdonald said, as reported by Seahawks.com on August 23.

The entire Seahawks team, along with several Titans players, surrounded Clark's cart before he left the field.

Seattle drafted Clark in the second round after his six-year career at TCU. He recorded 214 tackles and 15 interceptions before competing for the starting free safety job following Coby Bryant's departure.

The Seahawks already had questions at the position, with Nick Emmanwori managing an ankle issue. Mason Richman suffered another injury Sunday that Macdonald said could be long-term. Receiver Jake Bobo also sustained a season-ending knee injury during Friday's joint practice.

Clark's injury has now created an immediate depth issue.

Seahawks could look outside the roster for safety help

According to Jeremy Brener of Sports Illustrated, Seattle could look to the open market rather than relying solely on its remaining depth at safety.

Harrison Smith is one veteran option on that list. The 37-year-old spent his entire 14-year career with the Minnesota Vikings and has yet to announce whether he will play another season.

Donovan Wilson could also be a possibility after Seattle previously brought him in for a workout, according to Brener. His familiarity with defensive coordinator Aden Durde from their time with the Dallas Cowboys could make the transition easier.

Quandre Diggs was another name on that list. The former Seahawks safety remains unsigned after spending several productive seasons in Seattle.

Clark's injury does not force the Seahawks to make an immediate move, but the position has become thinner at an inconvenient point in the preseason.

How Seattle addresses it will now be one of the remaining roster questions ahead of the regular season.

Written by

Evince Das