Injury bug bites 49ers again as team loses key defensive tackle during practice in Australia

San Francisco 49ers defensive tackle Alfred Collins was projected to be a starter in his second season in the NFL, but ahead of the team’s first game of the 2026 season, he suffered a season-ending injury. Collins suffered a torn patellar tendon during Tuesday’s practice session in Australia as the team prepared for its Week 1 game against the Los Angeles Rams, according to head coach Kyle Shanahan. THE CRAIG CARTON SHOW–UNFILTERED, UNAPOLOGETIC AND UNMISSABLE. DOWNLOAD HIS DAILY PODCAST NOW! "Alfred tore his patellar tendon yesterday," Shanahan said. "That was a big loss. We've lost two D-linemen pretty much for the year after (final roster) cuts and before the first game which has been a huge challenge. I'm hurting for Alfred. It was real unfortunate for him." Collins was set to play a bigger role in the 49ers’ defense this season. San Francisco selected Collins in the second round of the 2025 draft out of Texas. He appeared in 16 games for the 49ers last season, racking up 17 tackles, a sack, two fumble recoveries and two pass breakups. The injury leaves a hole on the right side of the defense. Gracen Halton and James Thompson Jr. are expected to step up. "He just has to know that there's a light at the end of the tunnel," Nick Bosa said of Collins. "I told him I've been through it a few times, so he just needs to take it one day at a time. The Collins injury is another one on the list for San Francisco. Bosa, who is expected to play Thursday against the Rams, is coming off a torn ACL. He was listed on the injury report ahead of the Rams game along with Halton, Thompson and Romello Height. The team is already starting the season with defensive linemen Andrew Farmer II, Mikail Kamara and Sam Okuayinonu on the injury/reserve list. SIGN UP TO GET THE LATEST SPORTS NEWS San Francisco also listed linebackers Luke Gifford and Dre Greenlaw and cornerbacks Renardo Green and Upton Stout on its injury report as well – and that’s just the defense. George Kittle and Kyle Juszczyk are also on the injury list. Wide receiver Ricky Pearsall was lost for the season earlier this summer. Shanahan appeared to be optimistic about Kittle and Bosa’s abilities to play against the Rams. However, he said the team would have to be smart about how they’re used. CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP The 49ers and Rams play Thursday night at 8:35 p.m. ET on Netflix at Melbourne Cricket Ground in Melbourne. The Associated Press contributed to this report.