Seahawks Rookie Bud Clark Suffers Brutal Ankle Injury in Preseason Loss

Preseason football remains the most cursed invention in modern sports, and the Seattle Seahawks are the latest team paying the toll. Second-round rookie safety Bud Clark was carted off the field with a broken ankle on Sunday night, instantly turning a meaningless August exhibition into a massive headache for the defensive coaching staff.

Head coach Mike Macdonald confirmed the brutal news to reporters, with NFL insider Ian Rapoport relaying that Clark will be out for several months. The training staff had to bring out an air cast early in Seattle's 19-16 loss to the Tennessee Titans, effectively ending the rookie's season before it even officially started.

"Ian Rapoport reported that head coach Mike Macdonald confirmed the broken ankle and stated Clark will be out several months."

Clark was supposed to be a major piece of the puzzle this year. The TCU product racked up 15 interceptions in 61 college games and was already pushing starters Ty Okada and Julian Love for serious snaps. Instead of locking down a key rotational role, he is now staring down a massive rehab stint.

The football gods are apparently collecting a heavy tax in the Pacific Northwest right now. This is the second brutal blow Seattle has taken this week alone, following wide receiver Jake Bobo’s significant knee injury during joint practices. At this rate, Macdonald might want to consider wrapping his remaining starters in industrial bubble wrap until September.

For anyone eyeing Seattle's defensive futures, this secondary depth chart is suddenly looking dangerously thin. With fellow defensive back Nick Emmanwori also dealing with an ankle issue, the Seahawks are rapidly running out of healthy bodies in the defensive backfield.

The front office now has a ticking clock to find secondary help before Week 1. Until they bring in some reinforcements, Seattle fans will just have to hold their breath every time a defensive back makes a routine tackle in practice.