The Sports Xchange

Offensive linemen of the San Diego Chargers have accused Seattle Seahawks rookie defensive lineman Frank Clark of trying to attack quarterback Philip Rivers during Saturday night’s preseason game.

Multiple players were angered when Chargers left tackle King Dunlap was flagged for a 15-yard unnecessary roughness penalty after yanking Clark from under a pile. Rivers was sacked on the play by Seattle’s Jordan Hill.

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 said after the Seahawks’ 16-15 win. “I protect the quarterback at all costs.”

Video of the play shows Rivers holding onto Clark’s jersey after the sack.

“Man this game, it’s a lot of emotions is involved,” the 6-foot-3, 272-pound Clark told the Seattle Times. “I’m a real emotional player but there are ways you react and ways you don’t react. You’ve got to be smart in this game. That was something Sherm (Richard Sherman) was telling me afterwards, that whole thing, even though I didn’t get called for anything, just to avoid situations like that.”

Clark’s alleged antics after the play drew the attention from the Chargers.

“That’s our quarterback,” Chargers guard D.J. Fluker said. “We’re going to protect the jewel of our offense.”

Clark, who was dismissed from Michigan’s football team last November, was drafted in the second round by the Seahawks. He was convicted of a disorderly conduct charge in April after pleading no contest in an agreement with prosecutors. A domestic violence count involving his former girlfriend was downgraded to disorderly conduct, while an assault charge was dismissed.

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