Collins was a cap casualty for the 49ers this offseason but didn’t take long to land on his feet. Per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, his new deal includes $13 million guaranteed. Collins logged five sacks in Houston in 2023 and was then traded to the 49ers for another five-sack season. He started all 17 games and added two fumble recoveries to his stat sheet. Collins will take the place of Dalvin Tomlinson, who was released by Cleveland earlier this week.

Collins was acquired from the Texans last offseason in exchange for a seventh-round draft pick. The veteran defensive tackle was entering the final year of his contract, but will now be a free agent after a year in which he totaled 33 tackles, five sacks, and five TFLs. His five sacks tied a previous career high while his 715 defensive snaps marked his most since 2019. Collins turns 30 next month and can still provide defenses an adequate body to fill rush lanes and get after the quarterback.

Houston’s revamping of the defensive line continues unabated just before the official kickoff of free agency. The Niners’ acquisition of Collins likely means Arik Armstead will be released this afternoon. Collins had 11 sacks over the past three seasons with the Texans. In 2023, he set a career high with 41 tackles.

The good news is that Will Anderson is back from his high-ankle sprain and defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins is available as well. The Texans entered the weekend with all four of their top pass-rushers listed as questionable or our. Only two of them, Collins and Greenard, are inactive.