Mitch Wishnowsky won’t have to kick another field goal
The San Francisco 49ers have found their temporary replacement for Jake Moody, as he’ll be sidelined with a high-ankle sprain until further notice.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports the Niners signed former Pittsburgh Steelers kicker Matthew Wright to a one-year contract.
Wright, 28, appeared in one game with the Carolina Panthers in 2023. He missed his lone attempt from 50+. He had 14 attempts with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2022, where he made 12, including one attempt from 50 and 5-of-6 from 40.
Wright has made 85 percent of his 47 career field goal attempts and 6-for-9 from 50+ yards. He has 83 kickoffs, with 28 percent of those resulting in touchbacks. It was important for the 49ers to find a kicker, as punter Mitch Wishnowsky had to handle those duties on Sunday once Moody went down.
It remains to be seen how long Moody is out. Recovery time can depend on the severity of the sprain. Moody could be out anywhere from one to two months. Let’s hope the 49ers’ offensive possessions result in touchdowns and that they do not settle for field goals during this stretch, so Wright will only have to be relied on for extra points.