49ers Face Injury Crisis as Kicker Eddy Piñeiro Out Week-to-Week

UPDATE: The San Francisco 49ers’ injury woes deepen as starting kicker Eddy Piñeiro faces a week-to-week recovery after suffering a Grade 1 strain in his right hamstring during Sunday’s decisive 41-22 victory over the Arizona Cardinals. This latest setback comes just as the team welcomed back starting quarterback Brock Purdy, who shined with three touchdown passes in his return.

The injuries continue to plague the 49ers, who missed the playoffs last season with a 6-11 record. Head coach Kyle Shanahan confirmed that Piñeiro’s injury occurred late in the third quarter after he successfully converted an extra-point kick. “After finally finding some much-needed consistency, the San Francisco 49ers’ kicking situation is back in flux,” noted ESPN’s Nick Wagoner.

Piñeiro, who joined the team in Week 2 after the release of inconsistent kicker Jake Moody, has been largely reliable, making all 22 of his field-goal attempts this season. However, he struggled on extra points, missing four of 22 and two during Sunday’s game. The veteran kicker, who previously played for the Chicago Bears, New York Jets, and Carolina Panthers, now faces uncertainty as the 49ers prepare for their upcoming game against the Carolina Panthers next Monday.

In light of Piñeiro’s injury, the 49ers will hold tryouts for a replacement later this week. Shanahan’s announcement has raised immediate concerns about the team’s special teams unit, which had found stability under Piñeiro’s leadership.

The injury crisis extends beyond special teams. The 49ers are already grappling with significant losses on defense, including star defensive end Nick Bosa and four-time All-Pro middle linebacker Fred Warner, both of whom are out for the season with ACL and ankle injuries, respectively. Adding to the team’s woes, linebacker Tatum Bethune, Warner’s replacement, is expected to miss several weeks due to a high ankle sprain suffered on Sunday.

As the 49ers look to rebound from this injury crisis, fans are left wondering how this will impact their playoff aspirations. With injuries mounting, the urgency to find a reliable kicker is at an all-time high. Stay tuned for updates as the situation develops and the 49ers search for solutions to keep their season on track.