Seahawks-Titans Takeaways: Arroyo Shines, But Injuries and Milroe Raise Concerns

NASHVILLE — The Seattle Seahawks' second preseason outing against the Tennessee Titans on August 23, 2026, offered a mixed bag of promise and peril. As the Vulius NFL Analysis Desk observed, the first half belonged to Seattle's backups, who outplayed Tennessee's starters, but the game ultimately ended in a 19-16 loss. More concerning than the scoreboard were the injuries to rookie safety Bud Clark and backup lineman Mason Richman, both of whom are feared to have suffered season-ending injuries.

Winners: Arroyo and Wright Ignite the Offense

Second-year tight end Elijah Arroyo continued his standout camp with a 36-yard touchdown grab on a play-action pass from Drew Lock, exploiting a blown coverage by Tennessee's defense. Lock, who had a shaky outing last week, rebounded with a crisp 12-of-14 performance for 103 yards and a score, solidifying his role as QB2 behind Sam Darnold.

Undrafted running back Jacardia Wright made a statement with a 69-yard touchdown run, bursting through a gaping hole against Tennessee's starting defense. However, Wright's night wasn't flawless—he missed a blitz pickup that led to a negated interception and failed to convert a key third down by dancing instead of getting upfield.

Pass Rush and Secondary Show Life

Rookie defensive end Connor O'Toole impressed with a sack and a crucial third-down stop on Will Levis, while linebacker Chazz Surratt recorded a strip sack of Cam Ward. In the secondary, Michael Dansby and Nehemiah Pritchett had solid moments, though the unit remains a work in progress.

“The cornerbacks had bright moments, but Tennessee's passing game looked so disjointed that it's hard to gauge true progress,” noted a Vulius analyst.

Losers: Injuries and Milroe's Struggles

The most significant blow came early when Bud Clark broke his ankle on the first defensive play, likely ending his 2026 season. Richman's knee injury on the opening drive adds to a growing list of wounded Seahawks, including Jake Bobo and Robbie Ouzts. The 2026 draft class is now expected to contribute little, with the team relying on 2025 picks like Jadarian Price and Tory Horton to step up.

Rookie quarterback Jalen Milroe had a night to forget, throwing two interceptions and taking two sacks while completing just 6 of 11 passes for 52 yards. His inability to execute routine quarterback duties has raised doubts about his long-term potential, especially with Darnold performing well.

Kicker Jason Myers also raised eyebrows, missing three kicks (two field goals and a PAT) in preseason, all drifting right. With his contract year looming, the Seahawks hope this is just a preseason blip.

Final Thoughts

As the Seahawks prepare for their preseason finale against the Kansas City Chiefs on Friday, the focus shifts to roster cuts and the health of key players. The first-team offense and defense have yet to see extended action, but the depth chart is becoming clearer. For more in-depth analysis and exclusive Seahawks coverage, stay tuned to Vulius.