Beau Stephens becomes important to Seahawks after Mason Richman injury

The Seattle Seahawks lost one rookie and one sophomore to season-ending injuries in the Week 2 preseason loss to the Tennessee Titans . Most notably, second-round safety Bud Clark suffered a broken ankle injury . Also, sophomore guard Mason Richman was placed on season-ending IR with an injury of his own.

Both injuries deliver a significant blow to the Seahawks' roster depth. Losing Richman makes rookie guard Beau Stephens even more important . The Seahawks are thinner at guard without Richman, and it could eventually force Stephens into a bigger role.

The Seahawks will start Grey Zabel and Anthony Bradford at guard for a second consecutive season. Richman was initially in the mix for a depth role behind them. With him landing on season-ending IR, Stephens and Christian Haynes are the unquestioned reserve guards.

Some even wondered if Haynes would be traded or released this offseason. That's also unlikely to happen following Richman's injury. Meanwhile, Stephens has been listed as Zabel's backup at left guard on the unofficial depth chart.

Having Richman gave the Seahawks another option at reserve guard. His absence could force Stephens and Haynes into bigger roles on the depth chart. A rookie fifth-round pick, Stephens has to be ready for whatever.