Seahawks forward Kenneth Walker III lands on IR with ankle sprain

CHICAGO – The Seattle Seahawks will be without Kenneth Walker III in their playoff push after placing their leading rusher on injured reserve on Thursday.

Walker was already out for Thursday night’s game against the Chicago Bears after suffering an ankle injury in the fourth quarter of Seattle’s loss to the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday. He was listed as not participating in practice on all three days this week.

Seahawks general manager John Schneider told Seattle Sports 710-AM before Thursday’s game against the Bears that Walker was dealing with an upper ankle sprain.

To take Walker’s spot on the 53-man roster, the Seahawks signed rookie George Holani off their practice squad. Holani will serve as the third running back behind Zach Charbonnet and Kenny McIntosh. Seattle also named cornerback Artie Burns for the game against the Bears.

Walker’s third NFL season was marred by injuries. The 2022 second-round pick missed two games in September after suffering an oblique muscle injury in the opening game and two more in December because of a calf injury. If he goes on IR, he will be sidelined for at least four games, meaning his season is over unless the Seahawks make a strong playoff appearance.

In 11 games, Walker leads the Seahawks with 573 rushing yards on 153 carries while scoring seven rushing touchdowns. Charbonnet, who will once again take over the team’s No. 1 job following Walker’s departure, has 453 rushing yards on 106 carries and a team-high eight rushing touchdowns in 15 games.

With Walker in and out of the lineup this season, the Seahawks rank 30th in rushing yards per game (91.9) and 23rd in yards per carry (4.1).

A loss to Chicago coupled with a Los Angeles Rams victory over the Arizona Cardinals on Saturday would eliminate Seattle (8-7) from playoff contention.