The Seattle Seahawks had more than one reason to be sad after falling 19-16 to the Tennessee Titans on Sunday. The team had two major injury updates, with that of rookie safety Bud Clark, who was carted off the field, taking center stage. Head coach Mike Macdonald later confirmed what no Seahawks fan would have wanted to hear.

“Mike Macdonald tells reporters in Nashville that rookie S Bud Clark has a broken ankle and will be out for “multiple months,”” reported Seahawks writer for ESPN, Brady Henderson, shared on X.

Clark suffered the apparent injury less than four minutes into the game on a first-down run. After leaping over a player on the ground, another player seemed to make contact with his leg. The exact point of impact wasn’t clear from the available TV angles, but he went down in pain and immediately called for medical attention.

As he was carted off the field, the entire team came out to wish him. Yes, that’s how important and trustworthy the rookie had already become in the Seahawks camp.

“Bud’s one of those rookies that we’re asking a lot of him right now, and I’m impressed with how he’s handling it,” Macdonald said during the offseason. “It’s not perfect, but how he goes about his business is what we’re looking for. It’s important to start building a relationship with those guys and having a feel for the speed of the game with the ones and how we communicate and how we play, and he’s doing a good job.”

Seattle picked Clark in the second round with the 64th overall pick after he spent six years with the TCU Horned Frogs, recording 138 tackles, including 3.5 for loss, 15 interceptions, two of which he returned for touchdowns. During his college stint, Clark was named second-team All-Big 12 in two consecutive seasons. 

Other than the stats, Clark’s ability to play safety, nickel, and cornerback at TCU made him a valuable chess piece for Macdonald’s scheme, which emphasizes defensive versatility. The safety mostly worked with the Seahawks’ second-team defense this summer but got the start Sunday as Macdonald rested all of Seattle’s usual starters on both sides of the ball. And for this strategy, it did cost the Seahawks in a big way. 

On average, ankle fractures typically take 6 to 8 weeks to recover. Full recovery can take up to several months, depending on the severity of the fracture. If that’s the case, the next question that arises is who will be filling the spot then?

“We’re going to have to re-evaluate with where we’re at,” Macdonald said after the game. “We saw some good things out of AJ (Finley) and D’Anthony (Bell), but we’ll have to evaluate.”

Seeing Clark’s potential, Macdonald had plans for him beyond a developmental rookie season. Now that things are not going as planned, it strengthens Ty Okada’s starting chances.  

Okada’s experience gives him an advantage, particularly his familiarity with Macdonald’s system and his recent work as a starter. Seattle has also seen him successfully handle extended workloads when injuries create openings in the secondary.

While Macdonald is yet to decide on Clark’s replacement, they are now going through a tough stretch when it comes to injuries.

Mike Macdonald’s Camp Hit With Multiple Injury Woes

Besides Bud Clark, the Seattle Seahawks also lost versatile second-year offensive lineman Mason Richman to an apparent knee injury on its opening drive against Tennessee. His knee appeared to buckle without much contact, but he was able to walk off the field on his own, providing some hope initially. However, Mike Macdonald crushed hopes with the injury update later.

“We’re going to try to figure out what’s going on with Mason, but we also think that’s a major injury,” Macdonald said. “A long term injury. Two guys that we love that play our style of ball that are our type of guys. Teammates love them. Great teammates, great guys, great football players. They have great futures. It’s a heartbreaker, honestly. We had three heartbreakers this week, which is tough.”

Richman played two games last season, played just one snap on offense and 11 on special teams. He was also a part of the NFC Championship Game. Even before Clark and Mason fell prey to poor fate, Seahawks wide receiver Jake Bobo went down on Friday, August 21.

Bobo injured his right knee during a joint practice with the Titans after being taken to the ground near the sideline. Trainers evaluated him before he was carted off.

“Our heart goes out to Jake Bobo,” Macdonald said. “It seems like it’s going to be a serious knee [injury]. We’re going to get it imaged, but early returns are [that] it looks like it’s a long-term injury. That’s unfortunate.”

Seahawks only have a little over two weeks to find replacements before they kick off the season, facing off against the New England Patriots on September 9.