The 49ers are training four kickers after Jake Moody’s injury

The San Francisco 49ers will have to work quickly to replace kicker Jake Moody.

Head coach Kyle Shanahan told reporters on a conference call Monday that Moody suffered a severe ankle sprain during the team’s loss to the Arizona Cardinals. Moody stepped in to make a special teams tackle and his ankle became trapped underneath him.

Shanahan said the club is training four kickers but doesn’t know exactly which four players will come to tryouts.

It won’t be easy replacing Moody, who made 13 of 14 field goals this season and had his only miss from more than 50 yards. He’s also a perfect 12 out of 12 on extra points.

San Francisco has had similar problems a few times under Shanahan. In 2019, they signed Chase McLaughlin for three games after kicker Robbie Gould was injured. In 2020 they had to use K Tristan Vizcaino for one game, and in 2021 they had Joey Slye for three games.

However, this is expected to be a longer stay than any other. High ankle sprains generally don’t heal quickly, and given the 49ers’ penchant for coming up short in the red zone, whoever they sign will immediately become one of their most important players as they look to end the losing streak early in the season Mastering the season couldn’t climb out.