San Francisco 49ers defensive tackle Alfred Collins tore his patellar tendon during a Tuesday practice in Melbourne, Australia, ruling him out for the 2026 NFL season. Coach Kyle Shanahan confirmed the injury, which leaves the team scrambling for depth along the defensive line ahead of Friday’s opener against the Rams.
Alfred Collins Sustains Season-Ending Knee Injury in Melbourne
The San Francisco 49ers lost a projected starter just days before their regular-season kickoff when defensive tackle Alfred Collins suffered a torn patellar tendon during practice at AAMI Park. The injury occurred Tuesday right before the team began 11-on-11 drills in Melbourne, Australia, according to coach Kyle Shanahan.
Collins, a second-round pick in the 2025 NFL draft out of Texas, appeared in 16 games as a rookie, recording 17 tackles, one sack, two forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries. He became a familiar name to Los Angeles Rams fans last season when he forced a critical goal-line fumble against running back Kyren Williams to help secure a 26-23 overtime victory.
“Alfred tore his patellar tendon yesterday. That was a big loss. We’ve lost two D-lineman pretty much for the year after cuts and before the first game which has been a huge challenge. I’m hurting for Alfred… It was real unfortunate for him.”
Kyle Shanahan, 49ers Coach
Defensive Line Depth Tested After Back-to-Back Injuries
Collins is the second major casualty on the 49ers’ defensive front in the span of a week. Defensive end Sam Okuayinonu fractured his foot during the team’s final practice in Santa Clara before flying to Australia, requiring surgery over the weekend and landing on injured reserve. The team also began the year with top draft pick Mykel Williams on the PUP list as he recovers from an ACL tear, while undrafted rookie Mikail Kamara suffered a torn ACL during training camp.
With Collins sidelined, second-year player C.J. West is expected to step into the starting lineup alongside Osa Odighizuwa for Friday’s matchup against the Rams at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Additional rotation options include Gracen Halton, who has battled an ankle injury, and undrafted rookie James Thompson Jr., who missed practice time due to a hamstring strain.
Practice Squad Options and Roster Adjustments Ahead of the Rams Opener
Operating out of Melbourne complicates the team’s ability to fly in outside reinforcements on short notice. Shanahan acknowledged the logistical hurdles when discussing potential roster moves. Any D-lineman is a possibility, unless you can name some guys we can fly here real quick,
Shanahan told reporters.
The franchise will likely elevate players from its practice squad to fill the active roster spots for Thursday’s game-week buildup. Internal candidates include defensive linemen Sebastian Valdez, Kevin Givens, and Ogbo Okoronkwo. Givens brings veteran experience with 14 career starts across 70 games since 2019, providing a steady presence for a severely depleted unit.
On the positive side for San Francisco, defensive end Nick Bosa and tight end George Kittle participated in Wednesday’s practice despite managing respective knee tendinitis and Achilles issues. Shanahan noted that both veterans are expected to play against the Rams, though the coaching staff intends to monitor their snap counts closely.
Related reading
