The first play of Bud Clark’s second NFL preseason game will likely be his last until the 2027 season.

Following the Seattle Seahawks‘ against the Tennessee Titans, head coach Mike Macdonald told reporters that Clark suffered a broken ankle on Seattle’s first defensive play of the game. Clark was carted off the field with an air cast on his right leg.

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“Bud has a broken ankle, to my knowledge,” Macdonald said. “Severity, I’m not sure, but he’s going to be out multiple months.”

It’s a tough blow for Seattle’s secondary, which sought to replace Coby Bryant through Clark and Ty Okada. Clark’s ball-hawking prowess at TCU led to Seattle taking him in the second round. Even though Okada is projected to be the starting safety alongside Julian Love, Clark figured to be a part of Seattle’s rotation in sub-packages, of which it has plenty for extra defensive backs on the field.

The likes of D’Anthony Bell, Rodney Thomas II, A.J. Finley, and Maxen Hook were already pushing for a roster spot heading into training camp. Clark’s absence just made it even more of a competition to see who will not only get on the 53, but possibly play significant regular season snaps.

All the best to Bud Clark in his recovery.