49ers rookie erased all 'bust' accusations in 1 key moment vs. Rams

It's amazing how quickly narratives can change, and San Francisco 49ers rookie defensive tackle Alfred Collins is experiencing this in the best of ways.

After missing much of training camp because of contractual issues, the second-round NFL Draft pick out of Texas got off to an awfully slow start, ushering in concerns about whether or not he'd be the next significant bust of a selection made by general manager John Lynch and Co.

Well, Collins all but erased that narrative in one single moment in prime time against the Los Angeles Rams on Thursday Night Football.

And it probably saved the Niners from suffering what would have been a gut-punching defeat against an NFC West rival, too.

Alfred Collins had career-defining moment late in 49ers game vs. Rams

With just over a minute left in regulation, and San Francisco leading by three, LA's offense was right up against the goal line and poised to take a four-point lead. And it would have been difficult for the 49ers to stage a comeback at that point, considering they only had one timeout remaining and quarterback Mac Jones was banged up.

But, when Rams running back Kyren Williams took the ball toward the goal line, he didn't anticipate Collins' heavy-handed peanut punch that knocked the ball loose and into the arms of the Niners defense.

Seriously, watch Collins (No. 95) and listen to the punch itself:

True, San Francisco wasn't able to run out the clock on its next possession, and Los Angeles tied the game to send things into overtime, although the rest of that all worked out in the 49ers' favor anyway.

However, Collins' moment might have been the biggest game changer.

"It was a must-have-it play," Collins said in his postgame presser. "If I didn’t do that, you know they would have scored. I saw the ball, I cocked my arm back, and hit it."

Metaphorically Collins just cocked his arm back and knocked out all the doubts about him not panning out with the Niners at the NFL level, too. The concerns about him being a bust just evaporated in one instant.

And that instant saved San Francisco a win.