Alfred Collins to miss NFL season with injury in Melbourne

San Francisco 49ers defensive tackle Alfred Collins will miss the entire NFL season after suffering a torn patellar tendon. The injury occurred during a training session at AAMI Park in Melbourne, Australia, just days before the team’s season opener against the Los Angeles Rams at the MCG.

Head coach Kyle Shanahan confirmed the injury, noting that the loss of Collins, a second-round pick from 2025, adds to the team's defensive line struggles. The 49ers have already lost two defensive linemen for the year before the first game of the season. Other players currently impacting depth include Gracen Helton and Romello Height, who are limited by ankle injuries, and James Thompson Jr., who has dealt with a hamstring issue.

To address the shortage, the team is expected to call up defensive tackles from the practice squad, such as Sebastian Valdez or Kevin Givens, for the upcoming game in Melbourne.