Seahawks RB depth chart: Kenneth Walker III to IR; Zach Charbonnet, Kenny McIntosh step in

The Seattle Seahawks are in action early in Week 17 against the Chicago Bears on the road for "Thursday Night Football."

Seattle's seen their NFC West lead vanish behind consecutive losses to the Green Bay Packers in Week 15 and the Minnesota Vikings in Week 16. They're on the outside looking in for the NFC playoffs with two games to go and are one game behind the division-leading Los Angeles Rams (9-6).

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They need a win this week to stay in the hunt for the NFC West title but they'll have to do it without leading running back Kenneth Walker III.

The team placed the third-year back on injured reserve due to an ankle injury he sustained late last week against the Vikings.

Walker III is the Seahawks' leading rusher by carries (153) and rushing yards (573) this season, but he has missed four games due to oblique, ankle, and calf injuries.

That leaves Seattle without their top back in a crucial game against the Bears in Chicago. Here's what their depth chart looks like without Walker III in the lineup.

Seahawks RB depth chart after Kenneth Walker III injury

Zach Charbonnet will make his fifth start of the year against Chicago. The second-year back out of UCLA has filled in well for Walker III this season, posting 435 total yards and six touchdowns in those starts. He had a career day against the Arizona Cardinals in Week 14 with Walker out the lineup with 193 total yards and two touchdowns.

Fellow second-year running back Kenny McIntosh will be Charbonnet's backup and rookie undrafted free agent George Holani will be the third-string back.

Kenneth Walker III stats

Here's Walker III's numbers with 11 games played this season:

• Carries: 153

• Rushing yards: 573

• Rushing touchdowns: 7

• Catches: 46

• Receiving yards: 299

• Receiving touchdowns: 1

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Seahawks RB depth chart after Kenneth Walker III goes on IR