The San Francisco 49ers are actively seeking a replacement kicker after Eddy Piñeiro sustained a hamstring injury, leaving him with a Grade 1 strain and classified as “week-to-week” by head coach Kyle Shanahan. As the 49ers prepare to face the Carolina Panthers on Monday night, they are set to hold tryouts for several kickers, including Parker Romo, Anders Carlson, and Tanner Brown, according to Matt Barrows of TheAthletic.com.
More kickers are expected to try out this week as the team evaluates their options. Carlson, who previously played for the 49ers for two games last season, has experience with both the Green Bay Packers and New York Jets, where he made 40 out of 48 field goals in his 24 career games. He is familiar with the 49ers’ special teams coordinator, Brant Boyer, further enhancing his chances of rejoining the team.
In contrast, Tanner Brown has yet to play in an NFL game, making his audition a critical opportunity. Romo, on the other hand, had a productive stint with the Atlanta Falcons this season, successfully making 11 of 14 field goals and 12 of 13 extra points. He also kicked for four games with the Minnesota Vikings last season, bringing his career field goal conversion rate to 22 out of 26 attempts.
As the 49ers navigate this challenging situation, their proactive approach to bringing in multiple candidates demonstrates their commitment to maintaining a strong special teams unit. This adaptability could prove crucial as they head into a vital matchup against the Panthers.