Less than 48 hours before their Week 1 battle against the Los Angeles Rams in Australia, the San Francisco 49ers received devastating news. Nose tackle Alfred Collins tore his patellar tendon in practice and will now miss the entire season.
The news is a massive blow to a once-optimistic defense that was looking to take a big step forward this season. Last year, they struggled to make consistent plays, as they finished dead last in sacks and tied for 31st in interceptions.
Collins struggled in his rookie season but was thought to be a prime progression candidate in his second year, thanks in large part to his competitive mindset and his work ethic.
With an improved Collins and offseason trade acquisition Osa Odighizuwa manning the middle, the 49ers appeared to have established a formidable force in the trenches. San Francisco also brought in guru Raheem Morris to give the defense a much-needed jolt, and it was working. The return of stars Nick Bosa and Fred Warner only furthered the sense of hopefulness that was circulating through camp.
Alfred Collins injury forces 49ers to go back to the drawing board
Collins' injury takes the wind out of the team's sails, especially being so close to kickoff. While the defense's nucleus is still intact, the ailment adds one more unknown to a unit already tasked with proving doubters wrong.
Now, rookie Gracen Halton will likely be thrust into a full-time role. The Oklahoma product put together a promising camp, but with so much experience up and down the rest of the roster, he will be asked to play well beyond his years. Bosa and Warner, among others, have championship aspirations, and now is no time to slow-play a young rookie's development.
If nothing else, the injury is a blow to the 49ers' depth. On ESPN's unofficial depth chart, Halton is listed as the second-string defensive tackle behind Odighizuwa. There is no one behind Collins at nose tackle. If Halton can't make the transition, San Francisco will have a decision on their hands: either dip into their practice squad or sift through the free agent market to find a serviceable replacement.
Either way, they likely would've preferred to keep their original front seven intact for at least a game. Now, the red and gold will have to endure yet another season-ending injury, as if they haven't dealt with enough over the past few years.
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