AP

With defensive end Chris Clemons lost for the season due to a torn ACL and meniscus, the Seattle Seahawks will have to hope rookie Bruce Irvin can fill the void.

Irvin was Seattle’s first-round pick in last April’s draft and has been used almost exclusively on passing downs this season. Irvin had just 17 tackles during the regular season, but eight of which were sacks. Irvin picked up another sack in the Seahawks 24-14 win over the Washington Redskins on Sunday after Clemons left due to injury. Irvin will be the first option to fill Clemons’ role on the defense.

“The logical thing to do is for Bruce to move up and do all of the playing and takes the lead spot and then we’ll fit it in behind him,” head coach Pete Carroll said.

“That is stuff that we saw him do in college that everybody talked about that they didn’t see. He played the same position in college so really he has done fine. He’s not as big as Chris Clemons is on blocks, but he’s faster and he’s quicker, so he’ll give us some stuff. We’ll certainly miss Clem, but he can hold up his own.”

Carroll also said they can use lineman Greg Scruggs or possibly even linebackers K.J. Wright or Mike Morgan as options to complement Irvin.

Seattle also had former Falcons defensive end Ray Edwards in for a workout two weeks ago and elected not to sign him at that time. With Clemons out, he may once again become an option for the Seahawks just in time to face his former team. Carroll said general manager John Schneider is seeking out options on the free agent market with Clemons headed for injured reserve.