The San Francisco 49ers expect kicker Eddy Pineiro available for Sunday's game, according to multiple reports Thursday afternoon. Pineiro missed practice earlier this week with what the team listed as a personal matter. His return settles the position after two weeks of uncertainty that saw Jake Moody on injured reserve and the team working through short-term replacements.
Pineiro signed with San Francisco on December 18 after Moody went down with a high ankle sprain in Week 15. He converted 6-of-8 field goal attempts across three games, including a 52-yarder in the wild-card round against the Packers. The 29-year-old journeyman has now kicked for six NFL franchises since 2018. His longest stretch came with Carolina in 2021 and 2022, where he hit 80.5% of his attempts across 25 games. League-average conversion sits at 83.6% this season.
Separately, the team fined tight end Jake Tonges and fullback Kyle Juszczyk for unspecified conduct violations. Neither player addressed reporters after practice Thursday. Tonges spent the season on the practice squad after signing as an undrafted free agent out of California. Juszczyk, a 31-year-old six-time Pro Bowler, carries a $5.4 million cap hit this season and holds a club option for 2025 worth $5.5 million. His contract includes no guaranteed money beyond this year.
Internal fines typically range from $5,000 to $25,000 depending on the infraction. The 49ers did not specify whether the penalties stemmed from team rules, conduct policy, or game-related infractions. Head coach Kyle Shanahan declined to elaborate when asked Thursday morning. League fines, by contrast, are public and governed by the collectively bargained schedule. Late hits draw $16,883 for first offenses. Uniform violations start at $5,617.
The timing matters for roster construction. Juszczyk's potential departure creates a $4.05 million cap savings if the team declines his option in March. The 49ers currently project $18 million over the salary cap for 2025, per Over The Cap. General manager John Lynch will need to clear space before free agency opens March 12. Juszczyk's role as lead blocker in Shanahan's wide-zone scheme makes him functionally irreplaceable, but the team has historically treated the fullback position as expendable when cap math demands it. No fullback league-wide carries a higher cap figure.
Pineiro's availability removes one variable for Sunday's divisional-round matchup. Special teams coordinator Brian Schneider no longer needs contingency plans for emergency kicker scenarios. The 49ers went through three kickers in four weeks between Moody's injury and Pineiro's arrival. Matthew Wright handled one game, converting 2-of-2 field goals before the team signed Pineiro.
Watch for Moody's return timeline. He remains on injured reserve but can be activated anytime after Week 18. If Moody clears medical by the conference championship round, the 49ers face a decision between the rookie third-round pick and the veteran who stabilized the position. Juszczyk's contract option deadline arrives March 19, two weeks before the league year opens.
The takeaway
49ers stabilize kicker position while internal discipline lands on veteran fullback facing offseason contract decision.
Editorial & Disclosure Notice: This article was written with artificial intelligence from public sources and is published without individual human review. Artificial intelligence and other digital tools are also used for research, analysis, editing, formatting, and production. Errors, omissions, outdated information, or inaccuracies may occur. References to companies, brands, products, services, organizations, or individuals are for informational and editorial purposes and do not imply endorsement, sponsorship, affiliation, partnership, or approval unless expressly stated. All trademarks and other intellectual property remain the property of their respective owners. Opinions, analysis, estimates, and commentary are informational only and should not be construed as financial, investment, legal, tax, medical, procurement, or other professional advice. Information may be corrected, clarified, or updated after publication. Corrections or removal requests: jenny@pops4.com.
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