The 49ers have found their temporary Eddy Piñeiro replacement.
San Francisco is signing veteran kicker Matt Gay to its practice squad, the team announced Wednesday, and released wide receiver Russell Gage Jr. to make room.
NFL Media’s Tom Pelissero first reported the 49ers were signing Gay after being told by the kicker’s agents. The Washington Commanders cut Gay on Monday and signed former 49ers kicker Jake Moody off the Chicago Bears practice squad.
Piñeiro, who signed with San Francisco in September after the team cut Moody, sustained a Grade 1 hamstring injury in the 49ers’ 41-22 win over the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday at State Farm Stadium and is considered week to week.
The 49ers tried out several free-agent kickers on Wednesday, per NBC Sports Bay Area’s Matt Maiocco, but ultimately went with Gay.
The 49ers had tryouts with the following free-agent kickers:
Tanner Brown
Anders Carlson
Matt Gay
John Parker Romo
Cade York
— Matt Maiocco (@MaioccoNBCS) November 19, 2025
It will be difficult for Gay to replace the field-goal production of Piñeiro, who is a perfect 22-for-22 during his time in the Bay but also has missed three extra-point attempts. Gay was kicking 68.4 percent on field goals (13-for-19) during the 2025 NFL season with Washington.
Across his seven-year NFL career, which has included stints with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Los Angeles Rams, Indianapolis Colts and Commanders, Gay owns an 84 percent field-goal percentage.
Download and follow the 49ers Talk Podcast