Clark heads to season-ending IR

Clark was carted from Sunday’s game after his ankle was rolled up at the end of the play. The early appearance of the injury suggested this would be a long-term injury, so Macdonald’s comments after the game don’t come as much of a surprise. Clark was selected 64th overall by the Seahawks in this year’s draft and was expected to be an immediate contributor for the defense. We’ll likely get word later in the week on exactly how long the Seahawks expect the rookie to be out.

Clark got rolled up on after jumping over the pile after a play. He immediately went down and called for trainers, who applied an air cast to his lower leg after tending to his ankle. Losing the second-round rookie could be consequential. The Seahawks frequently put three safeties on the field, which put Clark in position to potentially start while S Nick Emmanwori works his way back from offseason ankle surgery. Clark now appears to be headed toward an extended absence. Fortunately, Emmanwori resumed doing individual work with trainers off to the side during practice this weekend.

Clark (6’1/188) is a rangy, opportunistic free safety whose ball production keeps dragging your eyes back to the tape, posting 55 tackles, 13 havoc plays, 4 interceptions and seven PBUs in 11 games for TCU. He allowed 17 catches on 30 targets for 202 yards and three touchdowns, but his 23.3 percent forced incompletion rate and four interceptions illustrate the feast-or-famine profile of a defensive back who trusts his instincts and attacks windows aggressively. Clark’s best work comes playing top-down from depth, where he can read the quarterback, overlap routes and flash receiver-like hands at the catch point, even if his aggression can leave him vulnerable to play-action manipulation and double moves. In the middle of his profile sits an 8.89 RAS with 4.41s speed (97th-percentile) and 88th-percentile explosion numbers, giving him enough range to survive deep duties despite a lean frame that can show up in tackle strength and durability concerns. The production is gaudy, 15 interceptions over his last four seasons in addition to plus impact in the run game as a wrap-and-roll finisher when he arrives on time. Clark projects as a ball-hawking split-safety defender and sub-package playmaker whose instincts and takeaway ability can outweigh some volatility, especially for teams willing to live with the occasional gambling rep.

Clark’s commitment to the Hoos is a bit of an upset, as the corner was considered to be down to LSU and Kansas according to most analysts. The Alexandria, Louisiana native also was considering Ole Miss, TCU and Oklahoma. In the 247 Sports rankings, Clark ranks 25th among safeties -- although many believe he’ll play corner -- and 11th among prospects in Louisiana. It’s the third commit for Bronco Mendenhall and company for 2020, and he’s the first four-star of the group.

Clark (6'1/170) committed to Virginia in mid-April, but whether the Cavaliers can hang onto him through the winter is an open question. He’ll be checking out Ole Miss on Memorial Day weekend and additionally is planning on taking an official visit to TCU, though a date for that trip has not yet been locked in. Clark ranks as the No. 29 safety prospect in the 2020 class.

Clark (6'2/180) had committed to Virginia back in April as a defensive back, but the talented two-way prospect has flipped to the Horned Frogs. The 247Sports composite board ranks him as the 31st best safety in the class, and the 13th best prospect out of the state of Louisiana. He also was considering LSU, Arizona State and Colorado; among others.