New 49ers kicker Wright was preparing for the hurricane when the team called originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
FATHER CLARÉE – Matthew Wright was in Tampa, Fla., on Monday, trying to pack as much of his belongings as possible in preparation for Hurricane Milton, when his agent called to offer him a job.
In the midst of this madness, Wright learned that the 49ers had an open spot on their roster due to kicker Jake Moody’s sprained ankle this will likely sideline him for at least a month and could land him on injured reserve.
Before hopping on a plane to the West Coast, Wright managed to gather much of his belongings and get them out of trouble. He also managed to get his wife out of danger before the hurricane – upgraded to category 5 storm – is expected to make landfall Wednesday evening.
“My house is actually about to get hit by a hurricane, so I was packing,” Wright said Tuesday. “We are fine. My wife left. Everything is fine.
THE The 49ers officially signed Wright on Tuesdaytwo days before a prime-time showdown against the Seattle Seahawks.
This isn’t the first time the 49ers have looked to Wright as a possible replacement for Moody. with San Francisco for a week in 2023 when Shanahan and his coaching staff weren’t sure Moody — injured at the time — would be available to kick.
Before rushing to pack his bags and flee, and before the phone call from his agent, Wright was following the same daily routine he had established since being released by the Pittsburgh Steelers at the end of camp. ‘training.
Three times a week, Wright would go to his backyard and begin a daily kicking program, following roughly the same schedule he had when he was on a team.
“That’s mostly what I’ve been doing, trying to treat every week — even though I’m not on a team — like I’m on a team,” Wright said. “Preparing my kick count, which I do mentally, having a simulated game day on my own.”
Wright has been on a lot of teams, that’s for sure.
After initially signing with the Steelers as an undrafted free agent in 2019, Wright spent 2021 with Jacksonville, then won a Super Bowl ring while filling in for Kansas City in 2022. He was with the Carolina Panthers in 2023 and spent training camp in Pittsburgh this season. .
Along the way, Wright made a very good reputation for himself. He converted 40 of 47 attempts in 24 games during his career.
For now, he will fill in for the 49ers while Moody recovers from his ankle injury. Moody wore a walking boot and used crutches as he walked through the team’s locker room at Levi’s Stadium on Tuesday.
Coach Kyle Shanahan said injuries like Moody’s typically require a month or more of rehab and didn’t rule out placing the second-year kicker on IR if the situation persists or worsens.
