SEATTLE (AP) — Before Baker Mayfield and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers torched the Seahawks for 426 total yards, Seattle was well aware it would be short-handed on defense.

Three defensive starters — end DeMarcus Lawrence, safety Julian Love and All-Pro cornerback Devon Witherspoon — were inactive for Sunday’s 38-35 loss to the Bucs. Linebacker Derick Hall injured an oblique and cornerback Riq Woolen sustained a concussion during the game.

Even with nearly half of Seattle’s defensive starters sidelined, coach Mike Macdonald had no interest in using injuries as an excuse.

“Injuries happen in the NFL,” Macdonald said. “I have to design better plays and put our guys in better positions consistently to play better on defense. It’s that simple.”

Without Witherspoon, Love and Woolen, Mayfield and

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