Seahawks Place Kenneth Walker III On Injured Reserve; Sign ...

CHICAGO—The Seahawks placed leading rusher Kenneth Walker III on injured reserve Thursday, the result of an ankle injury he suffered late in last weekend's game.

Rookie running back George Holani was signed off the practice squad to take Walker's spot on the 53-man roster.

Additionally, cornerback Artie Burns was elevated from the practice squad for Thursday night's game against the Bears.

Walker rushed for 573 yards and seven touchdowns in 11 games this season, having missed two games early in the season due to an oblique injury, as well as Seattle's Week 14 and 15 games with a calf injury. He also had career highs in receptions (46) and receiving yards (299) and had one receiving touchdown.

Placing Walker on injured reserve ends his regular season, though depending on the severity of the injury, he could in theory return if the Seahawks were to make the playoffs and win two games.

With Walker out, the Seahawks will lean on Zach Charbonnet, who has started four games this season when Walker was sidelined, as well as Kenny McIntosh, and Holani, an undrafted rookie out of Boise State who has appeared in three games this season as a practice squad elevation, carrying three times for 10 yards.

Charbonnet has rushed for 453 yards and eight touchdowns in his second season, including 317 yards and six touchdowns in his four starts. Charbonnet, rushed for a career-best 134 yards and two scores in Seattle's Week 14 win in Arizona, has impressed coaches with his work ethic and consistency throughout the season.

"That's one of the things you love about him, he's the same guy every day, incredibly prepared, runs the ball tough, runs it hard," Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald said. "I think he's grown as a player as a person, but that just speaks to his work ethic."

McIntosh, who like Charbonnet was part of the 2023 draft class, has seen his role increase in recent weeks, and has rushed for 77 yards on 17 carries, adding 22 yards on three receptions.

"It seems like every time he touches the ball, something positive happens, which is good," Macdonald said. "He's earned those opportunities, and we've had conversations like this throughout the season of, 'Hey, stick to your prep, stay steadfast in your approach, and those opportunities will come your way. Take advantage of them.' I feel like he's done that, and he's going to have a great opportunity this game to do it again."