Alex Collins inactive. Adrian Peterson ready to be Seahawks’ lead rusher vs 49ers

It became obvious before kickoff why the Seahawks signed and needed Adrian Peterson.

The team made Alex Collins, their lead running back since Chris Carson was lost for the season in early October with a neck issue, inactive for Sunday’s game against the San Francisco 49ers at Lumen Field. Collins has been playing with groin and abdominal issues for two months, to the point he became unable to carry the rushing offense. The team had listed him Friday as questionable for Sunday’s game.

So it was on to Peterson. The 36-year-old future Hall-of-Fame running back made his Seattle debut four days after he signed to his sixth NFL team in a 15-year career.

The Seahawks promoted Peterson from the practice squad to the roster Saturday for the 49ers game.

General manager John Schneider said on the Seahawks’ radio network’s pregame show Sunday he has a great relationship with Peterson’s agent, who is also the agent for Josh Johnson’s agent, the undrafted rookie whose chance these final six games Peterson’s arrival is blocking.

“You know what, we just thought bringing him in, his passion, the way that he works, we thought it was the appropriate time. Really cool for the young guys to see this guy,” Schneider said.

“I remember scouting him at Oklahoma (when Schneider was in the personnel department of his hometown Green Bay Packers). I feel like I was 21 years old. This guy is amazing...It’s unbelievable. This guy’s awesome.

“You wouldn’t even know he has a big ol’ chew in his mouth, too. That’s old-school.”

Coach Pete Carroll said his team signed Peterson this week to win Sunday’s game. Seattle (3-8 entering Sunday) had lost six of seven games entering its test against NFC West-rival San Francisco.

Carroll said Peterson has already affected the sunken team with his work ethic and example.

Adrian had a good week,” Carroll said. “It’s probably hard for people on the outside to understand the impact his kind of background can make. At a time where we’re battling to try to win a game and get going, he jumped in here and had a remarkable influence on the week.”

Peterson entered Sunday needing one touchdown to tie Jim Brown for 10th all-time for touchdowns in the NFL. Peterson and Walter Payton were tied with 125.

Peterson gained 82 yards with one touchdown in three games last month with Tennessee. The Titans released him Nov. 23.

He was tailgating at the Oklahoma-Oklahoma State football game last week, watching his Sooners play, when the Seahawks called offering him a chance to play again this season.

“I feel like I’ll be able to flow with this style of offense and how their run game is,” Peterson said of the Seahawks. “It kind of fits my style a little more than, I would say, Tennessee. “I think it will be an easy adjustment for me.”

Running backs Rashaad Penny and Travis Homer were active for limited roles Sunday. Each had been questionable to play because of injuries.

Penny pulled his hamstring two weeks ago burst for 18 yards on a run on the first play against Arizona.

He is in the final games of his contract. Schneider and the Seahawks decided last spring to decline the fifth-year option they had on Penny for 2022.

“We are looking at this guy like, ‘Let’s go,’” Schneider said Sunday.

Starting guard Damien Lewis was inactive Sunday. He had been rehabilitating a dislocated elbow. This past week he had a cyst treated in his groin area.

Kyle Fuller was with the first-team offense in pregame warm-ups, poised to make his second consecutive start for Lewis at left guard. Fuller was Seattle’s starting center for the first seven games this season, until Ethan Pocic won back his 2020 job.

Defensive tackle Robert Nkemdiche was inactive. That meant L.J. Collier was active for the fifth time in 12 games, and for the second consecutive game. Before this, Nkemdiche had been getting the spot in the defensive-line rotation over Collier, the team’s first-round draft choice in 2019.

The Seahawks’ other inactive players Sunday: third quarterback Jacob Eason, defensive back Niguel Warrior and guard Phil Haynes.

San Francisco was hurting at linebacker with star Fred Warner plus Dre Greenlaw and Marcell Harris out injured. Lead wide receiver Deebo Samuel was also hurt and out Sunday.