SANTA CLARA, Calif. – Stability at the San Francisco 49ers’ kicker position is threatened again. Niners coach Kyle Shanahan announced that veteran kicker Eddy Piñeiro suffered a Grade 1 hamstring strain in his right hamstring during Sunday’s victory against the Arizona Cardinals. Piñeiro will be out on a week-to-week basis and is likely to miss some games. This means the 49ers will have to seek help in the free agent market this week, in a position that Piñeiro had stabilized after signing in Week 2.
“We’re going to bring in some players for a workout,” Shanahan said. “They’re working on that now. They’ll do it tomorrow or Wednesday.”
Kyle ShanahanShanahan indicated that they have not discussed the possibility of bringing in veteran Justin Tucker, although he added that he has not participated in specific conversations about kickers until Monday morning. Piñeiro has had a perfect season in his field goal attempts, converting all 22 he has tried, including six from 50 or more yards. However, he injured his hamstring at the end of the third quarter of the 41-22 victory against the Cardinals. After scoring an extra point with 2:32 remaining, Piñeiro was seen grabbing his right leg as he slowly walked towards the sideline. Punter Thomas Morstead took over kickoff duties, as Piñeiro did not return to the game. Piñeiro is one of two kickers who has attempted at least 10 field goals without missing this year and set a franchise record for most consecutive makes to start his season. However, he has four misses (two blocked) in 22 extra point attempts, including one blocked and one missed in Arizona. Despite this, the Niners will undoubtedly miss Piñeiro, who stabilized their kicking situation after Jake Moody’s departure.In other injury news, Shanahan reported that linebacker Tatum Bethune suffered a high ankle sprain and will miss “a few weeks.” Bethune replaced starter Fred Warner, who missed the season due to a fracture and dislocation of his right ankle against Tampa Bay in October. Bethune will not go on the injured reserve list, as the Niners have a bye week in the next four weeks and could return after missing three games instead of the required four if he were to go on the injured reserve list. For now, Curtis Robinson replaced Bethune against the Cardinals and will continue in that role. “Curtis has been preparing for that opportunity for a while, especially after returning from his ACL this offseason, I think he did a great job,” Shanahan said.“It’s been incredible so far,” Shanahan said about Piñeiro. “We’re excited to have him.”
Kyle Shanahan
