49ers sign Cundiff to compete with Akers
The San Francisco 49ers signed place-kicker Billy Cundiff, and are expected to carry two kickers during the postseason.
Cundiff, who also tried out for the 49ers earlier this season, beat out Justin Medlock during a tryout at the team's facilities Tuesday.
David Akers has missed a field goal in six of the 49ers' past eight games, including a loss and a tie with the St. Louis Rams. He has made 29 of 42 field goals, despite starting the season with an NFL record-tying 63-yard field goal at Green Bay.
49ers head coach Jim Harbaugh said earlier this week that he was open to having two kickers on the roster compete during practice to determine who will kick in the playoffs.
Cundiff has made 75.5 percent of his career field goals during a nine-year career that has included stints with the Dallas Cowboys New Orleans Saints, Cleveland Browns, Baltimore Ravens and Washington Redskins.
He missed a 32-yard field goal for the Ravens in the AFC Championship Game last season, and then lost a training camp battle against rookie Justin Tucker.
This season, Cundiff played five games with the Washington Redskins, making 7 of 12 field goals (58.3 percent), the lowest percentage of his career, and was cut in favor of Kai Forbath.
To make room on the roster for Cundiff, the 49ers waived linebacker Eric Bakhtiari. He has appeared in five games for the team this season.
