Despite working out two veteran kickers on Saturday, the San Francisco 49ers ultimately opted not to sign either Greg Joseph or Younghoe Koo. That’s a clear signal they’re confident Eddy Pineiro is past his illness and ready to kick in Sunday’s home opener against the Miami Dolphins.
The Kicking Carousel That Wasn’t
Pineiro’s availability was a huge question mark all week, especially since he didn’t practice at all due to an illness. Head coach Kyle Shanahan even said Friday the team would bring in kickers, and it really felt like that was more than just a preventive move. The 49ers brought in Greg Joseph, 32, who hasn’t kicked since 2018 but did punt in 2023. They also had Younghoe Koo in for a workout. Koo was with the Giants in 2025 and before that, he was the Falcons kicker from 2018 through early 2025, so Raheem Morris knows him well. For a team to bring in two veterans like that, it means they were genuinely concerned. But, according to Matt Maiocco, no deal was made. It’s a huge vote of confidence in Pineiro stepping up immediately after being sidelined.
Rough Breaks and Hefty Fines
While the kicking situation appears to be sorted, the 49ers are also dealing with some brutal hits to the wallet and the roster. The NFL is not messing around with player safety, and the fines are rolling in. Tight end Jake Tonges got slapped with a $9,266 fine for a leg-whip block. Talk about a double whammy for the guy: that block was on the very play where he sustained a season-ending right knee injury. He left his feet and tried to cut block Rams edge rusher Myles Garrett, and the mechanism with whipping into extension could mean meniscus or ligament damage. That’s a tough break, ending his season and costing him nearly ten grand.
Tonges wasn’t the only one getting dinged by the league. Fullback Kyle Juszczyk got hit with an even bigger fine, a staggering $20,033 for unnecessary roughness. His penalty came on the 49ers’ first play of the second half, specifically for illegal use of his helmet. You just can’t make those kinds of mistakes, especially not from a veteran player, and certainly not at the start of a half when you’re trying to set a tone.
Looking Ahead to the Home Opener
So, Pineiro is in for the home opener against the Miami Dolphins. The team is clearly trusting him to be 100% after missing a full week of practice. On the flip side, they’re down Jake Tonges for the season, and Kyle Juszczyk’s wallet is significantly lighter. It’s going to be a crucial game to see how Pineiro performs under pressure, and how the team responds to the early season fines and injuries. Every game matters, especially these early ones, and you gotta avoid those kinds of self-inflicted wounds.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Niners Nation.
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