After six years of stability with Robbie Gould at kicker, the 49ers are in a major state of flux heading into the Sept. 10 season opener against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
While Zane Gonzalez (calf) has been placed on injured reserve and likely won’t ever kick for the 49ers, rookie Jake Moody (quad) appears to have a chance to get on the field in Week 1. For now, the Niners are holding tryouts to find a stop-gap until Moody can return.
“Still fluid,” coach Kyle Shanahan said Wednesday of the kicker situation. “Most likely we’ll have one by the end of this weekend. But I am encouraged by how (Moody) has been this week.”
Moody was injured in practice last week and missed the preseason finale against the Los Angeles Chargers, when Gonzalez got injured in warmups. Shanahan said he believes it will be a “short-term” injury for Moody, who has been under the microscope this preseason.
General manager John Lynch said, “Jake Moody’s tracking well. His recovery is going well, but we’ll be prepared for anything.”
For what it’s worth, Moody appeared to be walking with a limp before the Chargers game last Friday.
The Niners used the No. 99 overall pick in the third round to draft Moody out of Michigan and he looked stellar throughout training camp practices, before missing two kicks in his preseason debut (40 yards and 58 yards) and an extra point the following week. But Moody did hit the game-winner from 32 yard out against the Denver Broncos on Aug. 19.
We are yet to hear of any reports linking Gould to the 49ers in a reunion, but Shanahan said he would be open to the possibility last week. According to Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area, the 49ers worked out unproven kickers Tristan Vizcaino and Taylor Russolino on Monday.
“We haven’t agreed yet, but we’re still looking into some practice squad guys,” Shanahan said.
Lynch said he’s been getting a lot of attention from NFL kicker candidates about the short-term opening in San Francisco.
“I had no idea there was this many kickers out there,” Lynch said. “I’ve got more texts from people who kicked at one point in their life – from Pop Warner to very accomplished kickers. That process has been good as well.”
