Can Jake Moody Make a Surprise Return? 49ers Weigh Options as Eddy Piñeiro Faces Week‑2 Uncertainty

San Francisco’s kicker room is suddenly a little crowded. Eddy Piñeiro, who’s been reliable since the 2025 season, woke up with an illness and missed the last three practices. The team listed him as questionable for Sunday’s showdown with the Miami Dolphins, and that opened a tiny door for a familiar face.

Head coach Kyle Shanahan hinted on Friday that the 49ers have two candidates in the mix for a practice‑squad spot, but he stopped short of naming them. One of those names is likely Jake Moody, the former third‑round pick who spent three seasons in the San Francisco uniform before being waived.

Moody’s story with the 49ers is a mixed bag. Drafted in 2023 out of Michigan, he handled the kicking duties solidly in his rookie year, converting 21 of 25 field‑goal attempts (84 %) and nailing 60 of 61 extra points (98.4 %). He seemed poised for a long run.

Then 2024 arrived with a high ankle sprain that forced him to the sidelines after a promising 13‑of‑14 stretch (92.9 %). The injury rattled his mechanics, and he finished that season 24‑of‑34 on field goals (70.6 %). The following year, after a shaky 1‑of‑3 start, San Francisco cut him.

Since parting ways with the 49ers, Moody bounced around the league. He had a brief stint with Baltimore, where Tyler Loop won the job, then saw short stays with Chicago and Washington before the Ravens released him this offseason. He’s a free agent now, but still familiar with the West Coast atmosphere.

If Piñeiro can’t suit up on Sunday, the 49ers plan to bring in two kickers for a tryout Saturday. While the team hasn’t confirmed who the two are, it wouldn’t be surprising if one of them is Moody, offering him a chance to rewrite his narrative for the fans who still remember his early success.

Regardless of the outcome, the situation underscores how quickly roster spots can open up in the NFL, especially at the specialist positions. For the 49ers, the priority is simple: make sure the ball flies between the uprights when it matters most.