The San Francisco 49ers are signing former Green Bay Packers kicker Anders Carlson to their practice squad, according to Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Carlson, a free agent since being released during final roster cuts, is joining the 49ers as a potential option while starting kicker Jake Moody heals from a sprained ankle and backup Matthew Wright deals with a shoulder injury.
Drafted in the sixth round of 2023, Carlson was expected to be Green Bay’s long-term solution at kicker. As a rookie, he made 27 of 33 field goal attempts (81.8%), but his inconsistency—especially late in the season—was problematic. Carlson missed an NFL-high four extra points and struggled down the stretch, missing kicks in nine of his last 12 games, including a crucial miss in the Packers’ three-point Divisional Round loss to San Francisco.
Now, Carlson joins the team he helped send to last season’s NFC Championship Game.
With Moody sidelined in Week 6, Wright filled in and made all his kicks in the 49ers’ 36-24 win over the Seahawks. San Francisco is doing its due diligence on their kicking options while both Moody’s and Wright’s statuses remain uncertain. Carlson has a strong leg but struggled with consistency throughout his time in Green Bay.
This summer, he was given every chance to win the starting kicking job but never truly distinguished himself in a battle against veteran Greg Joseph. During training camp and the preseason, Carlson finished 62/76 (81.6%) on his kicks but missed his final attempt, a 32-yarder against the Baltimore Ravens in the finale. Meanwhile, Joseph went 60/76 (78.9%).
Although Carlson technically won the kicking competition over Joseph, the Packers released both kickers and instead claimed rookie Brayden Narveson after he was let go by the Tennessee Titans.
Unfortunately for Green Bay, Narveson has also struggled. He missed a 44-yarder against Arizona in Week 6, bringing his total to five missed field goals this season—more than any other kicker. He also ranks second-to-last among qualifying kickers in field goal percentage at 70.6.
Despite Narveson’s issues, head coach Matt LaFleur said Monday that they aren’t considering a kicker change yet. Green Bay could potentially sign Carlson off the 49ers’ practice squad if Narveson’s struggles persist, though for now, the team is trying to remain patient. But with each miss, that patience may be wearing thin.
