Seahawks rookie Frank Clark accused of attacking Philip Rivers

Seahawks defensive lineman Frank Clark angered multiple offensive linemen on the Chargers,who accused the rookie of trying to attack San Diego quarterback Philip Rivers while under a pile during Saturday's preseason game.

Chargers left tackle King Dunlap was flagged for a 15-yard unnecessary roughness penalty after yanking Clark from the scrum.

Dunlap told the San Diego Union-Tribune that he did not see the incident but said he wanted to protect Rivers after hearing his teammates yelling at Clark.

"That guy was on top of Philip, and that's our quarterback," Dunlap told the newspaper. "I protect the quarterback at all costs."

Rivers was sacked on the play by Seattle's Jordan Hill, but Clark's alleged antics after the play drew far more attention from the Chargers.

"That's our quarterback," Chargers guard D.J. Fluker told the Union-Tribune. "We're going to protect the jewel of our offense."

Clark said after the game that he is an "emotional player" but acknowledged that he will try to avoid similar incidents in the future.

"I'm a real emotional player, but there are ways you react and ways you don't react," Clark said. "You've got to be smart in this game. That was something [Richard Sherman] was telling me afterward, that whole thing -- even though I didn't get called for anything -- just to avoid situations like that."

Rivers left the game later in the second quarter after banging his throwing hand on a follow-through. The five-time Pro Bowler said X-rays on his hand were negative and claimed he would have remained in the game had it been a regular-season contest.

The Seahawks were criticized this past offseason for using a second-round draft pick on Clark, who faced misdemeanor domestic violence and assault charges stemming from an incident involving his former girlfriend.

Clark, who was dismissed from Michigan's football team last November, was convicted of a disorderly conduct charge in April after pleading no contest in an agreement with prosecutors. The domestic violence count was downgraded to disorderly conduct, while the assault charge was dismissed.

General manager John Schneider has defended the Seahawks' selection of Clark, claiming that the team did its due diligence before drafting him.

ESPN Seahawks reporter Sheil Kapadia and The Associated Press contributed to this report.