Alfred Collins is done for 2026 before the Netflix lights even come up in Melbourne.
Kyle Shanahan said the starting defensive tackle tore his patellar tendon in Tuesday's Australia practice, needs surgery, and will go on injured reserve in the near future. It lands on top of Sam Okuayinonu already on IR with a broken foot. Shanahan's line: the 49ers have lost two defensive linemen pretty much for the year after cuts and before the first game.
Collins was supposed to bookend Osa Odighizuwa. Now the depth chart for Thursday is thinner: C.J. West and rookie Gracen Halton on the 53, with Sebastian Valdez and Kevin Givens as Melbourne elevate options. Shanahan still wants Nick Bosa and George Kittle available, managed carefully.
Thursday still kicks at 8:35 p.m. ET on Netflix (ESPN gameId 401872657). San Francisco walks in with a thinned front. The Rams already have Aaron Donald inactive and off the plane.
