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The San Francisco 49ers are preparing to open the 2026 season against the Los Angeles Rams in Melbourne, Australia, but their defensive line has suffered another major injury just days before kickoff.
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Coach Kyle Shanahan announced Wednesday that starting defensive tackle Alfred Collins tore his patellar tendon during Tuesday’s practice and will miss the entire season.
“The worst one was Alfred Collins,” Shanahan said. “Alfred tore his patellar tendon yesterday, so that was a big loss.”
Collins sustained the injury during a portion of practice before the 49ers began working against each other.
Kyle Shanahan shares 49ers defensive tackle Alfred Collins tore his patellar tendon in practice and is out for the season pic.twitter.com/mcqkIgcU0y
— 49ers on NBCS (@NBCS49ers) September 9, 2026
“It happened yesterday during a period right before we started going against each other,” Shanahan said. “Real unfortunate for him… He’ll be out for the year.”
The injury removes a projected starter from an already depleted defensive front. Collins, a second-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, appeared in 16 games with one start as a rookie and recorded 17 tackles, one sack and two forced fumbles.
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San Francisco had Collins listed as a starting defensive tackle alongside Osa Odighizuwa entering Week 1.
His absence compounds the 49ers’ problems up front. Defensive end Sam Okuayinonu recently underwent foot surgery and is expected to miss most of the season, while Mykel Williams began the year on the PUP list while recovering from a torn ACL.
“Lost two D-Linemen for pretty much the rest of the year after cuts and before the first game, which has been a huge challenge,” Shanahan said. “Hurting for Alfred.”
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Second-year defensive tackle CJ West is a likely option to move into Collins’ starting role, with rookie Gracen Halton also positioned for additional snaps.
San Francisco faces Los Angeles on Thursday, Sept. 10 at 8:30 p.m. ET in Melbourne.
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This story was originally published September 9, 2026 at 1:05 AM.