The 49ers are reeling right now, folks. Defensive tackle Alfred Collins, their second-round pick from 2025, is officially out for the entire season. Coach Kyle Shanahan confirmed he tore his patellar tendon in practice this week, and that’s a brutal blow before they even kick off Week 1. You never want to see a player go down, especially with something as serious as a patellar tendon tear, but this news drops like a lead balloon just days before the season opener.
A Second-Round Talent Lost Before Kickoff
This isn’t just some camp body, either. Collins played all 16 games last season, racking up 17 tackles, a sack, four quarterback hits, snagging an interception, defending two passes, and forcing two fumbles. Those are real numbers for a guy heading into his second year, a player who was supposed to be a core piece of their defensive line. Losing that kind of production, that early, is a massive headache for any team, especially one with a season opener looming against the Rams. Collins was listed as a limited participant in Tuesday’s practice, which for them in Australia, was Wednesday, and now we know why.
D-Line Woes Go Deeper Than Just One Guy
What makes this sting even more is the situation around him. The 49ers are already looking thin at defensive tackle. They’ve got Osa Odighizuwa, CJ West, Gracen Halton, and James Thompson Jr. left at the position, but check this out: Thompson missed practice with a hamstring injury, and Halton was limited because of an ankle issue. So, two other guys are banged up while Collins is gone for good! That’s why it’s practically a guarantee they’ll have to call up one of their practice squad DTs, Sebastian Valdez or Kevin Givens, just to have enough bodies for the game. This unit is already scrambling, and the season hasn’t even started.
They’re out there in Melbourne preparing for the Rams on Thursday, and suddenly their defensive line is a patchwork. This early season injury nightmare is setting them up for a really tough Week 1, and you have to wonder how they’ll plug these holes against a division rival.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Pro Football Talk.
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