When the 2024 season started, the San Francisco 49ers obviously had no plans to add another kicker to their roster.

But the NFL cares little for the plans of any team and the Niners had no choice but to bring in a kicker this week after Jake Moody, their third-round pick last year, suffered a high ankle sprain in their Week 5 loss to the Arizona Cardinals.

It isn't clear how long Moody faces on the sidelines but, with a short turnaround to Thursday's primetime clash with the Seattle Seahawks, the Niners needed to bring in a new kicker quickly.

They have now done so, signing Matthew Wright for a second spell with the team. He spent five days on the 49ers' practice squad last year.

Wright has kicked for the Pittsburgh Steelers, Jacksonville Jaguars, Chicago Bears and Carolina Panthers in his career.

He is 40 for 47 on field goals in his career, with only one of his misses coming from inside 40 yards.

Much like Moody, however, Wright's biggest asset may be his prowess on distances that are beyond many kickers.

Wright previously held the Chiefs' record for the longest field goal in franchise history when he converted on a 59-yarder in 2022. He is six of nine on field goals from 50-plus in his career.

As such, the 49ers can afford to have confidence in Wright's range. In that sense, he has the potential to be a significant weapon for San Francisco.

After some substantial struggles in the red zone this season, the 49ers are focused on finishing drives, but Wright gives them a dependable option with a strong leg should they continue to struggle in that regard. If Wright can hit on a couple of long ones during a critical stretch of the season before the 49ers' Week 9 bye, a signing they had no desire to make could prove to be a home run.

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