SANTA CLARA, Calif. — As they head toward an NFC West showdown with the Seattle Seahawks on Monday night, the San Francisco 49ers could be without kicker Robbie Gould.
Gould suffered a quadriceps injury this week, a league source told ESPN, leaving his chances for playing on Monday up in the air. In response to the injury, the Niners are signing free-agent kicker Chase McLaughlin, the source said Thursday morning.
Coming off a Thursday night game last week, the Niners held a “bonus” practice Tuesday. Gould was at that practice and participating, which means he likely suffered the injury then.
The 49ers (8-0) are set to practice again Thursday as they prepare for the Seahawks (7-2).
McLaughlin, a rookie from Illinois, comes to the 49ers from the Los Angeles Chargers, where he handled kicking duties for four games before his release. McLaughlin was 6-of-9 on field goal attempts in that time and made all seven extra points.
While Gould’s injury isn’t considered long term, it is the latest in a line of special-teams changes for the 49ers. Before Kyle Nelson‘s return from suspension two weeks ago, San Francisco went through three long-snappers and are using rookie punter Mitch Wishnowsky as the holder, all of which has made for a lack of consistency in the kicking game over the first eight weeks.
This season, Gould is 13-of-20 on field goal attempts; the seven misses are the most of his 15-year career. He has made all 26 of his PATs.
NFL Network first reported Gould’s injury and McLaughlin’s signing.
Source : ESPN
