49ers' Alfred Collins tears patellar tendon in Australia, out for 2026

Sept. 9 (UPI) -- San Francisco 49ers defensive tackle Alfred Collins sustained a torn patellar tendon at practice in Melbourne, Australia and will miss the 2026 season, coach Kyle Shanahan announced Wednesday.

Shanahan said the injury occurred at Tuesday's session. Collins missed off-season organized team activities and part of training camp while recovering from shoulder surgery.

"I'm hurting for Alfred," Shanahan told reporters. "It happened during a period right before we started going against each other. It was really unfortunate for him."

Collins, 24, appeared in 16 games, with one start, last season for the 49ers. The second-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft was slated to start alongside Osa Odighizuwa at defensive tackle.

C.J. West is now expected to fill in for Collins. Rookies Gracen Halton and James Thompson Jr. also could see an increase in action. Thompson didn't practice Tuesday due to a hamstring strain.

The 49ers will take on the Los Angeles Rams in the second game of the 2026 NFL season at 8:35 p.m. EDT Wednesday in Melbourne.