San Francisco 49ers defensive tackle Alfred Collins will miss the entire 2026 NFL season after suffering a torn patellar tendon in his right knee during practice in Melbourne, Australia, according to head coach Kyle Shanahan.
The injury occurred Tuesday at AAMI Park as the 49ers prepared for their upcoming regular-season opener against the Los Angeles Rams at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, as reported by the Associated Press. Collins, a second-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft out of Texas, was listed as a starter on the team’s depth chart entering the week.
Impact on the 49ers Defensive Line
According to Shanahan, losing Collins deals a severe blow to a defensive front already dealing with significant depth issues. “That was a big loss,” Shanahan told reporters, as noted by the Associated Press. “We’ve lost two D-linemen pretty much for the year after final roster cuts, before the first game, which is going to be a huge challenge. It’s real unfortunate for him.”
Collins is the second projected starting 49ers defensive lineman to suffer a season-ending injury during practice prior to kickoff. Defensive end Sam Okuayinonu underwent foot surgery earlier and is expected to miss most of the season, according to NBC Sports Bay Area. Additionally, defensive tackle Gracen Helton and defensive end Romello Height are limited in practice due to ankle injuries, while undrafted rookie defensive tackle James Thompson missed practice Tuesday with a hamstring issue, per the Associated Press.
Roster Options and Practice Squad Elevations
With Collins sidelined ahead of Friday’s international matchup against Los Angeles, San Francisco faces immediate roster decisions. According to NBC Sports Bay Area, the team will likely elevate players from the practice squad to fill the void. Defensive linemen Ogbo Okoronkwo, Kevin Givens, and Sebastian Valdez are primary candidates to be called up for the season opener.
He earned recognition from Rams fans during his rookie year by forcing and recovering a crucial fumble from running back Kyren Williams late in regulation during San Francisco’s 26-23 overtime victory at SoFi Stadium.
Upcoming Schedule
The 49ers face the Los Angeles Rams on Friday morning local time in Melbourne. While the defensive line absorbs heavy losses, other veteran stars remain available. According to the Associated Press, tight end George Kittle and defensive end Nick Bosa are on track to play in the opener, though Shanahan did not specify their exact snap counts.