San Francisco 49ers defensive sort out Alfred Collins tore his patellar tendon at a observe in Melbourne and can miss the 2026 season, head coach Kyle Shanahan confirmed. Collins wants surgical procedure and shall be positioned on injured reserve, ending his second NFL 12 months earlier than it started.
“Alfred tore his patellar tendon yesterday,” Shanahan said, via Nick Wagoner of ESPN. “That was a giant loss. We have misplaced two D-lineman just about for the 12 months after cuts and earlier than the primary recreation which has been an enormous problem. I am hurting for Alfred. It was actual unlucky for him.”
Sam Okuayinonu injured his foot shortly earlier than the group flew to Australia and faces an operation anticipated to price him most or the entire season, leaving San Francisco with out two inside linemen because it opens its schedule.
What’s left of San Francisco’s inside line of defense
The No. 43 decide within the 2025 draft out of Texas, Collins had been set to begin after playing 16 games as a rookie and ending with 17 tackles, a sack, two pressured fumbles and two fumble recoveries. A type of got here in Week 5 at SoFi Stadium, when he punched the ball out of Kyren Williams’ palms on the 1-yard line and recovered it himself in a 26-23 extra time win over the Los Angeles Rams.
The Rams are the opponent once more on Thursday, and this time San Francisco goes in with CJ West and rookie Gracen Halton as the one wholesome choices on the 53-man roster who can begin alongside Osa Odighizuwa. Undrafted rookie James Thompson Jr. has been coping with a hamstring challenge.
Kevin Givens and Sebastian Valdez traveled to Melbourne on the observe squad and are the obtainable elevations.
Kickoff on the Melbourne Cricket Floor is about for 8:35 p.m. ET on Thursday.
