49ers Cut Kicker Jake Moody, Sign Eddy Piñeiro Amid Injuries

The San Francisco 49ers have waived kicker Jake Moody following his inconsistent performance in the 2025 season opener, where he missed two field goals including a 27-yard attempt and had another blocked. Moody, a 2023 third-round draft pick and former Lou Groza Award winner, struggled throughout his two-plus seasons with the team, converting just 74.2% of his field goals overall and facing difficulties particularly on longer attempts. To replace him, the 49ers signed veteran kicker Eddy Piñeiro, who brings a career field goal accuracy of about 88% and familiarity with the 49ers' special teams coordinator. Piñeiro has a solid NFL background, having played for teams including the Panthers, Jets, and Bears, and is expected to bring more stability to the kicker position. In addition to the kicker change, the team placed star tight end George Kittle on injured reserve due to a hamstring injury, sidelining him for at least four games and compounding the 49ers' injury challenges. Quarterback Brock Purdy is also dealing with injuries that may affect upcoming games, emphasizing the team's ongoing struggles with depth and health.