SANTA CLARA, Calif. – Just when the San Francisco 49ers thought they had solved their long-running kicking woes, the position is unstable once again.
Head coach Kyle Shanahan announced Monday that kicker Eddy Piñeiro suffered a Grade 1 strain in his right (kicking) hamstring during Sunday’s 41-22 win over the Arizona Cardinals. Piñeiro is officially week-to-week and expected to miss upcoming games.
The 49ers will host kicker workouts as early as Tuesday or Wednesday, Shanahan said, as they search the free-agent market for a temporary replacement.
Piñeiro, who signed in Week 2 after the team waived Jake Moody, had been perfect on field goals this season (22-for-22), including 6-of-6 from 50+ yards — setting a franchise record for consecutive makes to begin a tenure. He injured the hamstring late in the third quarter after converting an extra point; punter Thomas Morstead handled the remaining kickoffs, and Piñeiro did not return.
While Piñeiro has struggled on PATs (18-of-22, with two blocks), his reliability from field-goal range had been a major bright spot.
“He’s been awesome so far,” Shanahan said. “Pumped that we’ve been able to get him.”
Shanahan said there have been no internal discussions about pursuing veteran Justin Tucker at this point.
Additional Injury Update
Linebacker Tatum Bethune suffered a high ankle sprain in the Cardinals game and is expected to miss “a few weeks.” Bethune had been starting in place of Fred Warner (out for season, broken/dislocated ankle). The 49ers will not place Bethune on injured reserve due to their upcoming bye, which would allow a potential three-game absence instead of the mandatory four.
Curtis Robinson filled in against Arizona and will continue in the role.
“Curtis has been preparing for that opportunity for a while… Thought he did a hell of a job,” Shanahan said.
