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Nick Wagoner
SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Simply when it appeared the San Francisco 49ers‘ kicker competitors was about to warmth up, it reached an abrupt conclusion. No less than for now.
Hit arduous by accidents up and down the roster within the first two weeks of coaching camp, the Niners launched veteran kicker Greg Joseph on Monday. That clears the decks for incumbent Jake Moody to retain the job as he enters his third NFL season.
“I’d have beloved to maintain [Joseph] longer and allowed them to play that out longer,” coach Kyle Shanahan mentioned. “However we had 13 guys out of shape immediately. We have got 5 guys on PUP. It is simply too many individuals to have that luxurious. It is superior to have two kickers and have them battle, however they’re probably not guys to take reps. We want extra individuals to take reps for us.”
The 49ers had excessive hopes for Moody after they drafted him within the third spherical out of Michigan in 2023. He has had his share of ups and downs since, struggling mightily over the again half of final season.
Moody made simply 11 of 20 area aim makes an attempt after coming back from a excessive ankle sprain in Week 10 on his option to rating thirty fifth within the NFL in area aim share amongst kickers with at the very least 10 tries.
These struggles opened the door for a possible change, and the Niners signed Joseph in Might with the concept of making a contest. Joseph and Moody alternated reps in the course of the particular groups’ interval in every follow with Joseph connecting on 22 of 24 tries and Moody going 21-for-24 within the particular groups intervals open to media.
On Friday, particular groups coach Brant Boyer mentioned the competitors was “actually shut.”
“They’re each doing an excellent job,” Boyer mentioned. “There’s not a ton of separation there. Each of them rebounded from some days that they might have kicked higher. … They’re doing every part we’re asking them to do, and we’re wanting ahead to see how it’ll shake out.”
Because it turned out, different roster machinations made maintaining two kickers now not tenable. In Monday’s follow, the Niners didn’t have the companies of cornerback Renardo Inexperienced (hamstring), receiver Jauan Jennings (calf), receiver Jacob Cowing (hamstring), working again Christian McCaffrey (relaxation day), security Ji’Ayir Brown (ankle), working again Isaac Guerendo (shoulder), fullback Kyle Juszczyk (heel), defensive deal with Evan Anderson (knee bruise), left deal with Trent Williams (relaxation day), defensive deal with Kevin Givens (pectoral), defensive finish Sam Okuayinonu (groin) and defensive finish Nick Bosa (relaxation day). Operating again Jordan James (knee) was restricted, and that does not even account for these gamers — receiver Brandon Aiyuk (knee), security Malik Mustapha (knee), offensive deal with Andre Dillard (ankle) and defensive lineman Yetur Gross-Matos (knee) — who stay on the bodily unable to carry out checklist.
If there’s excellent news to be discovered on that prolonged checklist, it is that many of the accidents aren’t thought of long-term. Shanahan mentioned Givens might be out the longest, doubtless lacking a piece of the season. He was anticipated to, at minimal, stay a distinguished a part of the defensive deal with rotation. Juszczyk, Anderson and Brown are thought of day-to-day, and Guerendo and Okuayinonu are anticipated to overlook two to 3 weeks.
All these lacking gamers imply the Niners wanted extra our bodies, particularly this week after they have a joint follow with the Denver Broncos set for Thursday and the preseason opener in opposition to them Saturday evening.
The 49ers had so many accidents final preseason that they canceled joint practices with the New Orleans Saints, however San Francisco expects to be able to work with the Broncos this yr.
“We’ll must be good at some positions,” Shanahan mentioned. “I am positive they’ve some points, too. I will speak to Sean [Payton] the day earlier than. It is such good work that we’ll discover a option to make it work.”
As for whether or not the kicking competitors might reignite if and when the Niners get wholesome, Shanahan indicated that the microscope would stay on Moody with an emphasis on getting him going. Shanahan mentioned Moody is “kicking the ball actual nicely,” however the coach acknowledged that the employees might be watching because the preseason strikes alongside.
“Whether or not you’ve gotten one kicker within the constructing or two, kickers all the time know they’re competing with whoever is on the market,” Shanahan mentioned. “So, I do not see it a lot completely different.”
