Seahawks' Carson won't play on TNF vs. Rams due to neck injury

Seattle Seahawks running back Chris Carson is out for Thursday's divisional matchup against the Los Angeles Rams due to a neck injury, the team announced.

Alex Collins is expected to take on the starting role in Carson's absence.

The Seahawks expected Carson to be a game-time decision and listed him as questionable after he missed practice all week. The 27-year-old played in the first four games of the campaign, racking up 232 yards and three touchdowns.

"He has had kind of a long-term, I guess it would be kind of a condition, that he's dealt with," head coach Pete Carroll said Wednesday, according to The News Tribune's Gregg Bell. "And sometimes it flares up, and sometimes it doesn't.

"We've tested him and MRI'd him and all that kind of stuff, and it's no different than it's been. It's just, obviously, inflamed right now. And so we've got to see if it quiets down."

Carson has never played a full regular season in his prior four seasons. He signed a two-year extension this spring worth up to $14.625 million.

Collins has 79 rushing yards, 34 receiving yards, and one touchdown in a backup role. He played a significant part in Seattle's Week 4 win over the San Francisco 49ers, finding the end zone once and registering 78 yards from scrimmage.