The Seattle Seahawks dropped a 19-16 preseason road game to the Tennessee Titans, but suffered more severe blows with long-term injuries to rookie safety Bud Clark and offensive lineman Mason Richman. Clark sustained a broken ankle, while Richman suffered an undisclosed injury during the first half.
Despite deploying primarily backup players, Seattle raced to an early double-digit advantage before falling short against Tennessee.
Drew Lock Sparks First-Quarter Offense While Jalen Milroe Struggles
Quarterbacks Drew Lock and Jalen Milroe each played a full half for Seattle, contrasting sharply in their production. Lock started the contest and directed the team’s best quarter yet, accumulating 102 passing yards and a touchdown to fuel a 16-point opening frame.
Lock capitalized on the Titans’ opening coin-toss deferral, leading an eight-play, 79-yard touchdown drive. He converted a crucial 3rd and 1 at midfield to tight end Elijah Arroyo before finding Arroyo wide open on the next play for a 36-yard score, putting Seattle ahead 7-0 with 11:12 left in the first quarter.
Jacardia Wright extended the lead when he broke free for a 69-yard touchdown run, aided by blocks from center Christian Haynes and wide receiver Montorie Foster Jr. Although kicker Jason Myers missed the subsequent extra point from 48 yards out, he converted from the same distance shortly after to push the lead to 16-3.
Milroe experienced a difficult outing after halftime. The team failed to score while he was on the field, as he managed just 52 passing yards, threw two interceptions, and took a fourth-down sack. His evening became even harder immediately after entering, when a false start by Logan Brown set up a 2nd and 14 before Milroe salvaged the drive with a 16-yard scramble.
Titans Battle Back Behind Cam Ward and Mitch Trubisky
Unlike Seattle, Tennessee utilized the majority of their starters. Quarterback Cam Ward engineered a field-opening goal drive aided by a 33-yard run from Tony Pollard, though rookie Andre Fuller stopped Elic Ayomanor on third down to limit the damage.
The Titans eventually turned to Mitch Trubisky. Trubisky connected with Xavier Restrepo for a four-yard score, though an offensive holding penalty on Jackson Slater nullified the touchdown and forced Tennessee to settle for a field goal. Trubisky later found Ayomanor to push deep into Seattle territory, setting up a Joey Slye field goal on the final play of the first half to narrow the deficit to 16-9.
Will Levis took over for Tennessee in the second half. Jamie Sheriff and Connor O’Toole quickly halted his initial drive by combining for a third-down sack.
Defensive Highlights and Costly Special Teams Mistakes
Seattle’s defense produced several strong moments, particularly from linebackers Chazz Surratt and Chris Paul Jr., who bottled up Tennessee’s starting offense. Surratt registered a big stop at the line of scrimmage on 3rd and 2, delivered a subsequent sack, and helped force a turnover alongside Paul Jr.
Special teams proved costly for the Seahawks. Beyond Myers missing a 44-yard field goal wide right later in the half, Cody White fumbled a punt return after a defensive three-and-out, giving Tennessee possession at the Seattle 11-yard line.
Worth a look
