Bud Clark Breaks Ankle in Seahawks' 19-16 Preseason Loss to Titans

Rookie safety Bud Clark suffered a broken right ankle on the first defensive play of Seattle's 19-16 preseason defeat against Tennessee.

The Seattle Seahawks fell 19-16 to the Tennessee Titans on Sunday night at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, a preseason contest defined by significant roster losses. Rookie safety Bud Clark suffered a broken right ankle during the game's opening defensive snap. Head coach Mike Macdonald confirmed following the final whistle that the second-round draft pick will be sidelined for multiple months. Medical staff applied an air cast to Clark's right leg before he was carted off the field in Tennessee.

Roster Impact at Nissan Stadium

Clark earned the starting nod for the Sunday night matchup as Macdonald elected to rest all of Seattle's regular starters on both the offensive and defensive units. Prior to this start, the rookie had spent the majority of the summer program operating with the second-team defense. The injury occurred immediately, forcing the Seahawks to adjust their secondary rotation for the remainder of the three-point loss.

In addition to the secondary blow, the offensive line faced a significant setback. Mason Richman, who started the game at left guard, exited the contest during the opening drive. Macdonald informed reporters that Richman also sustained a major, long-term injury, though specific diagnostic details beyond the severity were not immediately disclosed. These two exits left the Seahawks without their starting left guard and a key rookie defensive back for the duration of the preseason finale.

A Week of Significant Injuries

The loss of Clark and Richman follows a third major injury sustained by the franchise earlier in the week. During a joint practice session against the Titans on Friday, wide receiver Jake Bobo suffered a season-ending knee injury. The accumulation of these three medical setbacks prompted Macdonald to describe the week's events as "three heartbreakers," noting the difficulty of losing three contributors in such a short span.

Preseason Personnel Decisions

Seattle’s strategy for the 19-16 loss focused on evaluating depth, resulting in the decision to keep primary starters on the sidelines. This approach gave Clark his first opportunity to lead the defense from the opening whistle before the ankle fracture occurred. The safety was one of several young players looking to solidify their roles before the regular season began.

Richman’s injury further complicates the depth chart on the interior offensive line. Having started at left guard on Sunday, his long-term absence removes a primary option from the rotation. The Seahawks now face the remainder of the preseason and the start of the regular schedule without Bobo, Richman, and Clark, all of whom were projected to provide depth or starting reps. As the team leaves Nashville, the focus shifts to the recovery timelines for these three players, with Clark's recovery expected to span at least several months according to the initial coaching staff assessment.