Jake Moody injury: San Francisco 49ers sign Matthew Wright as replacement kicker

The San Francisco 49ers (2-3) have signed kicker Matthew Wright after Jake Moody suffered a high-ankle sprain in Sunday’s 24-23 Week 5 home defeat to the Arizona Cardinals (2-3).

Moody is out for Thursday’s Week 6 road contest against the Seattle Seahawks (3-2), meaning Wright will handle the kicking duties.

Wright, the former UCF standout, spent time with four teams during the 2023 season, including a short practice squad stint with the 49ers. He played in one game for the Carolina Panthers (1-4), missing his lone field goal attempt. The 28-year-old appeared in 23 games over the previous three seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers (3-2), Jacksonville Jaguars (1-4) and Kansas City Chiefs (5-0). He has connected on 40-of-47 field goal attempts, an 85% conversion rate.

Wright has big shoes to fill in Moody, one of the league’s best kickers through the first five weeks of the season. Moody, the 2023 third round pick out of Michigan, has nailed 13-of-14 field goal attempts and is 12-for-12 on extra points.

49ers find replacement for Jake Moody

Moody sustained the injury after attempting to make a tackle during a kickoff in the second quarter. After the attempted tackle, Moody grabbed his lower leg before making his way off the field. He was seen in a walking boot after the game.

Head coach Kyle Shanahan said that four kickers would be in the building Monday.

“Yeah, they’ll work on that stuff right away,” Shanahan said. “With kickers, they’re almost independent contractors. So, we’ll get them in as fast as possible and get the best guy we can. I’m sure it’ll have to be for a few weeks. I’m not sure [about the severity of the injury]. But I know they told me a high-ankle, and that’s never soon.”

Wright got the nod and it’ll be his job to lose as Moody works his way back from the high-ankle sprain.