San Francisco’s season opener in Australia has already taken a hit before a snap has been played.
49ers defensive tackle Alfred Collins is done for the year after tearing his patellar tendon in practice on Tuesday at AAMI Park, coach Kyle Shanahan said Wednesday. Collins’ injury comes with the team set to face the Los Angeles Rams at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Friday morning.
Shanahan called it a major blow and said the team is also dealing with another injury on the defensive line after losing Sam Okuayinonu to a right foot injury.
'That was a big loss,' said Shanahan, whose team also lost defensive end Sam Okuayinonu to a right foot injury.
'We've lost two D-linemen pretty much for the year after (final roster) cuts, before the first game, which is going to be a huge challenge. I'm hurting for Alfred. It's real unfortunate for him.'
Collins’ rookie year gave the 49ers a useful reserve piece, as he finished with 17 tackles in 16 games. He’s also the player Rams fans remember from last season’s 26-23 overtime win by San Francisco at SoFi Stadium, when he forced and recovered a goal-line fumble by Kyren Williams late in regulation to keep Los Angeles out of the end zone.
Now, instead of helping anchor the middle of the line, Collins leaves a hole at a spot the 49ers were planning to lean on heavily. He was expected to see a significant role this season as the likely starting nose tackle, and his absence puts even more pressure on a defensive tackle group that already looks thin.
Gracen Halton and Romello Height are both limited in practice because of ankle injuries, and undrafted rookie James Thompson Jr. missed Tuesday’s practice with a hamstring injury. That leaves C.J. West as a possible starter if San Francisco needs to reshuffle the front.
'Any D-lineman is a possibility, unless you guys can name some guys we can fly here real quick,' Shanahan said.
There is better news on two of the 49ers’ biggest names. Tight end George Kittle and defensive end Nick Bosa remain on track to play in the opener, though Shanahan said he’s still not certain how much either veteran will be used.
Bosa, who appeared in only three games last season after tearing a ligament in his right knee, said he spoke with Collins about what comes next. He didn’t sugarcoat the recovery, but made clear the team will be there for him.
'He just has to know that there's a light at the end of the tunnel,' Bosa said. 'I told him I've been through it a few times, so he just needs to take it one day at a time.'
Bosa said he is '100 per cent' ready to play, while Kittle appears confident he can contribute despite tearing his Achilles tendon just eight months ago.
'We've got to be smart with that,' Shanahan said. 'Bosa not practicing as much, Kittle - he's had this whole week - but they both look great. But we definitely have got to be smart with that.'
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