The San Francisco 49ers absorbed a notable injury blow just days before the start of their 2026 campaign.
San Francisco head coach Kyle Shanahan talked to reporters on Tuesday and revealed that defensive tackle Alfred Collins will miss not just Thursday’s game at Melbourne Cricket Ground in Melbourne but the entire 2026 season after suffering a
“Alfred tore his patellar tendon yesterday,” Shanahan said, via Nick Wagoner of ESPN. “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.”
Shanahan shared that Collins got hurt during practice on Tuesday and will have to be placed on the injured reserve and go under the knife to address the injury.
A product of the Texas Longhorns, Collins appeared in 16 games during his rookie season in 2025, recording two passes defended, two forced fumbles, four quarterback hits, 17 combined tackles and a sack. He is perhaps best known among 49ers fans for his forced and recovered fumble during a crucial moment of what turned out to be a San Francisco Week 5 victory over the Rams.
