49ers Defensive Tackle Alfred Collins Out for 2026 Season After Torn Patellar Tendon

The San Francisco 49ers will open their 2026 season without one of the young building blocks of their defensive line. Head coach Kyle Shanahan confirmed Wednesday that second-year tackle Alfred Collins tore the patellar tendon in his knee during the team’s time in Melbourne this week, ending his season before it began.

Collins, the No. 43 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft out of Texas, carved out a rotational role as a rookie, finishing with 17 total tackles, a sack, and two fumble recoveries. His development had drawn praise from Robert Saleh, his former defensive coordinator who is now head coach in Tennessee, who said in June that Collins was “going to be special” as he continued to refine his craft.

The timing is a blow for a San Francisco defense preparing for a high-profile international opener. The 49ers face the Los Angeles Rams on Thursday night in Melbourne, Australia — one of the league’s marquee global showcases this season.

The team has not detailed the specifics of the injury, and it remains unclear how San Francisco will backfill the depth on its interior defensive line. Practice squad tackles Kevin Givens and Sebastian Valdez are both available as potential internal options.

Losing a second-round pick for a full year so close to the opener adds another layer of intrigue to the 49ers’ early-season outlook, with the club already navigating a competitive NFC West race against the Rams, Seattle, and Arizona. Patellar tendon tears typically require surgery and an extended rehabilitation timeline, though the team has not issued a formal recovery estimate beyond ruling Collins out for the year.

What to watch

• Whether the 49ers promote Givens or Valdez from the practice squad ahead of Thursday’s game in Melbourne.
• Any updates on the timing of Collins’s surgery and rehabilitation, which could clarify his availability for 2027 training camp.
• The league’s first regular-season game in Australia, which will draw attention to the NFL’s international expansion strategy.

Source: original release