After a rough Week 1 outing by Jake Moody, 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan stood by his kicker.
Shanahan has now stepped away.
The 49ers are waiving Moody, per multiple reports.
Shanahan’s supposed commitment to Moody, in hindsight, contained a hint of equivocation. “Right now, I have no question,” Shanahan said after the 17-13 win at Seattle. “I’m trying to finish today, get on a plane and evaluate stuff, and go back at it. Ask me every day and I’ll answer how I am right at that moment.”
The 49ers made Moody a third-round pick in 2023. Against the Seahawks, he missed one field goal and had another one blocked.
Here’s the basic reality. With the proliferation of cannon-legged kickers who are consistently cashing in from longer and longer distances, those who miss shorter kicks stand out in a bad way.
If a kicker stands out in a bad way, he’ll be in a bad way. And another kicker will have a chance to come in and do what the other kicker didn’t.
For his San Francisco career, Moody missed 16 of 62 field goals. He’ll now hit waivers and, if he clears, he’ll become a free agent.
The Saints are promoting one of their tight ends.
Per Ian Rapoport of NFL Media, New Orleans is signing Jack Stoll to its 53-man roster.
Stoll, 27, was elevated from the practice squad to the active roster for the Week 1 loss to the Cardinals. He did not make a reception, but played 18 offensive snaps and nine special teams snaps.
Stoll has appeared in 62 career games with 29 starts for the Eagles, Dolphins, and Saints since 2021. He’s caught 22 passes for 193 yards.
The 49ers already have several injury issues, but there’s at least some positive news for one of their key offensive players.
Per Ian Rapoport of NFL Media, receiver Jauan Jennings’ shoulder injury is not believed to be serious.
Jennings, who was dealing with a calf injury during training camp, exited the contest in the second half. He finished the game with two catches for 16 yards on five targets.
As of Monday, Jennings’ shoulder MRI had not revealed any issues, but the club was still awaiting results from a CT scan.
Jennings caught 77 passes for 975 yards with six touchdowns — all career-highs — in 2024.
The 49ers will be on the road to play the Saints in Week 2. The club’s first injury report of the week will be released on Wednesday.
49ers tight end George Kittle left Sunday’s game in the second quarter and did not return. He played only 21 of 76 offensive snaps before injuring his hamstring.
Coach Kyle Shanahan confirmed the expected bad news Monday: Kittle will miss “a few weeks.” Injured reserve is a possibility, which would force Kittle to miss a minimum of four games.
“When they tell me a few weeks, [injured reserve] is always a possibility,” Shanahan said, via David Bonilla of 49erswebzone.com. “I mean, in order to do that, it’s got to be a four-week injury, so I don’t think we’ve decided on that yet.”
Kittle made four catches for 25 yards and a touchdown in the team’s 17-13 win over Seattle.
Luke Farrell and Jake Tonges are behind Kittle on the depth chart.
49ers quarterback Brock Purdy’s availability for Week 2 is in question after he emerged from Sunday’s victory over the Seahawks with a pair of injuries.
Coach Kyle Shanahan said Purdy injured his left shoulder and a toe, with the toe injury more concerning.
The 49es consider Purdy “day to day,” but Shanahan conceded the team doesn’t yet know whether Purdy will be able to play through it.
“We’re not sure,” Shanahan said, via David Bonilla of 49erswebzone.com. “We’ve got to see how it heals and how the week goes on it.”
Mac Jones is the 49ers’ backup quarterback, but the team likely will need to sign another quarterback this week.
Purdy went 26-of-35 for 277 yards with two touchdowns and two touchdowns in the 17-13 win.
Wide receiver Jauan Jennings (shoulder) had an MRI that showed no issues, but the team’s medical staff still is awaiting results from a CT scan.
