How Carlson Stayed Ready Before 49ers Kicker Opportunity Arose originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
SANTA CLARA – Another game, another new kicker for the 49ers.
This pattern occurred earlier this week when the Rouge et Or signed free agent Anders Carlson to their practice squad as insurance after backup Matthew Wright separated his shoulder while attempting to make a tackle during Sunday’s loss to the Seattle Seahawks.
The 49ers have been shorthanded on special teams since their second year Jake Moody was placed on injured reserve with an ankle injury.
The hope was that Wright would be able to hold on to his position until Moody was allowed to return, but he only lasted a week before the 49ers were forced to go looking for another kicker.
Unlike Wright, who was packing up his house in Tampa Bay, Fla., to avoid an oncoming hurricane when the 49ers called, Carlson was relaxing in Tennessee when his phone rang.
“I was in Nashville when I got the call for this, having dinner,” Carlson said.
Carlson, whose brother Daniel is a kicker for the Las Vegas Raiders, was a sixth-round pick of the Green Bay Packers in the 2023 NFL Draft. Carlson posted decent numbers as a rookie, converting 27 of 33 field goal attempts, including three completions on five tries of 50 yards or more.
After being released by the Packers during the latest round of training camp roster cuts this summer, Carlson tried to maintain a weekly kicking routine in order to be ready should the need arise somewhere in the NFL.
“Treat it like you’re still playing,” Carlson said. “Most training sessions are on Tuesdays, so it’s almost like Tuesdays become your game days.”
A few teams inquired about Carlson, but nothing very serious materialized until the 49ers called.
