The San Francisco 49ers wasted no time addressing their kicking woes, signing veteran Eddy Piñeiro as their new kicker mere hours after waiving Jake Moody on Tuesday, according to multiple reports. The swift move comes on the heels of a turbulent Week 1 performance and a flurry of roster changes for the franchise, signaling a team in crisis mode as they navigate injuries and performance issues early in the season.
Jake Moody, the 49ers’ former kicker, struggled in the team’s season-opening win over the Seattle Seahawks. The second-year kicker missed a 27-yard field goal and had a 36-yard attempt blocked, sparking frustration on the sideline. Fox sideline reporter Pam Oliver noted the fallout, describing “two thrown helmets and a lot of ticked-off looking players” following Moody’s misses. The poor performance evidently sealed his fate, as the 49ers moved decisively to replace him.
Eddy Piñeiro, a 29-year-old journeyman kicker, brings a proven track record to San Francisco. Over the past three seasons with the Carolina Panthers, Piñeiro converted an impressive 92 percent of his field goal attempts, showcasing the reliability the 49ers desperately need. Piñeiro, who has also kicked for the New York Jets and Chicago Bears, reportedly worked out for the 49ers on Tuesday before being signed, capping a whirlwind day for the team’s personnel department.
Head coach Kyle Shanahan had hinted at the possibility of change earlier in the week. On Monday, he told reporters, “There’s options, just whether it’s stay the status quo, bringing in guys for workouts, practice squad, but we’re going through all that stuff right now.” The decision to bring in Piñeiro suggests the 49ers are prioritizing immediate stability at the kicker position as they prepare for a demanding stretch of games.
The kicking shakeup wasn’t the only major roster move for San Francisco. The 49ers also placed tight end George Kittle on injured reserve after he suffered a hamstring injury in the first half against Seattle. Kittle, who recorded four catches for 25 yards and a touchdown before exiting, will miss at least the next four games but could return as early as October 12 for the 49ers’ matchup against Tampa Bay. His absence is a significant blow to an offense that relies heavily on his versatility and playmaking.
Elsewhere, wide receiver Jauan Jennings provided a glimmer of hope for the 49ers. After injuring his left shoulder in the fourth quarter of the Seahawks game, Jennings’ MRI came back clean, and he is considered day-to-day. Shanahan noted that the team is awaiting results from a CT scan but remains optimistic that Jennings could suit up for their Week 2 clash against the New Orleans Saints.
Adding to the 49ers’ challenges is the health of quarterback Brock Purdy, who sustained shoulder and toe injuries during the Week 1 victory. Shanahan indicated that the toe injury is likely the more concerning of the two, stating, “I’d probably say the toe’s worse than the shoulder. … We’ve got to see how it heals and how the week goes.” Purdy’s status will be closely monitored as the 49ers aim to maintain their early-season momentum despite the mounting injury concerns.
With four games in the next 23 days, the 49ers face a critical stretch that will test their depth and resilience. The signing of Eddy Piñeiro signals a commitment to addressing immediate weaknesses, but the team’s success will hinge on how quickly they can stabilize their roster. As San Francisco prepares for their Week 2 matchup against New Orleans, all eyes will be on Piñeiro’s debut and whether he can provide the consistency that Jake Moody lacked. For a team with Super Bowl aspirations, every kick—and every roster move—matters.