49ers sign K Joey Slye; place K Robbie Gould on IR

Kyle’s update, 3:03 p.m. PT: Signed to the practice squad

LB Tyrell Adams

WR Connor Wedington

Kyle’s update, 2:28 p.m. PT: Gould has been placed on the IR, per Ian Rapoport. He’ll miss at least three games.

Kyle’s update 1:58 p.m. PT: The 49ers have signed K Joey Slye, per Tom Pelisseroo. According to Aaron Wilson, the team released LB Curtis Bolton, RB Kerryon Johnson, and RB Chris Thompson.

The team also signed TE Jordan Matthews to the practice squad. That’s likely good news for Mychal Kendricks and Elijah Mitchell.

Kyle Shanahan announced that Robbie Gould strained a groin and could return after the bye week. Shanahan said Gould’s injury is 3-5 weeks, and the team is still deciding on whether to put Gould on the IR or not.

Shanahan pointed out that the team is hesitant to place Gould on the injured reserve due to missing three games and not three weeks. Kyle added that the 49ers will have “a number of guys tomorrow to work out.”

NFL Network’s Tom Pelisseroo reported who those kickers are Tuesday morning: Michael Badgley, Brett Maher, and Joey Slye.

Badgley missed his lone field goal attempt with the Titans this year and went 1-for-2 on extra points. The 26-year-old spent the previous three seasons with the Chargers, where he made 51 out of 65 attempts, including going 9-for-19 from 50+ yards.

Maher, 30, spent the last two seasons with the Dallas Cowboys. Maher made 74% of his kicks, including hitting 10 of his 15 attempts beyond 50 yards. In 2018, Maher hit 80% of his kicks, including 6-of-7 from 50+ yards.

Slye, 25, started all 16 games for the Panthers in 2019 and 2020. He appeared in three games with the Texans this season and made 4-of-5 kicks, including one from 50+ yards. Slye made 10 of 18 kicks over 50 yards and 79% of his overall kicks in three years total.

The 49ers may have to start looking at life after Gould — especially if there’s a risk of injury during pre-game warmups. Although you never know what you’re getting with a younger guy under pressure at any position, I'd go with youth. Maher didn’t kick in 2020, which may hurt him.