The San Francisco 49ers suffered a tough loss to the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, and to make matters worse, they lost key players to injury, including kicker Jake Moody, who sustained a high-ankle sprain.
With Moody expected to miss several weeks, the 49ers should consider bringing legendary kicker and former Niner Robbie Gould out of retirement.
Special teams have been a concern for the 49ers throughout the season. Although things seemed to improve when defensive tackle Jordan Elliott blocked a Cardinals field goal, leading to a touchdown by cornerback Deommodore Lenoir, the momentum quickly shifted. Soon after, the Cardinals returned a kickoff for a big gain, and Moody was forced to make a tackle, twisting his ankle awkwardly. He was diagnosed with a high-ankle sprain on his kicking foot.
Head coach Kyle Shanahan said the team will have to quickly evaluate kickers with their next game against the Seattle Seahawks coming up on Thursday. Given that Moody could be out for several weeks, they need more than just a temporary fill-in.
The current free-agent kicker pool doesn’t offer standout options. It includes Brandon McManus, who has faced legal issues, Randy Bullock, a journeyman, and Riley Patterson, who has bounced around different teams. None of these choices inspire much confidence.
That’s why the 49ers should seriously consider Robbie Gould. Gould spent six strong seasons with San Francisco, delivering some crucial kicks, including a game-winner against the Green Bay Packers during the 2021 playoffs.
While the 49ers drafted Moody to replace Gould, their parting wasn’t on the best terms. Still, with the 49ers’ next few games being critical, they need a reliable kicker in case games come down to a field goal.
It’s unclear if Gould has stayed in shape or continued kicking in retirement, so it may be difficult for him to be ready by Thursday. However, if the Niners’ temporary replacement struggles, it wouldn’t hurt to give Gould a call and see if he can still deliver.
At 2-3, the 49ers have little room for error. To maximize their chances, especially in close games, they need the best kicker available while Moody recovers—making Gould a valuable option.
