49ers bring in kickers for tryouts
Selecting a starting quarterback wasn't the only item on the agenda this week for San Francisco 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh.
The 49ers brought in free agent kickers Nate Kaeding and Billy Cundiff for workouts Tuesday, as the team's kicker, David Akers, is dealing with a minor injury, according to the coach.
"We want to make sure that we have a plan B," Harbaugh said.
The San Jose Mercury News reported that Akers displayed no signs of injury while kicking in practice Wednesday.
Akers was bumped by a New Orleans Saints player during the second half of Sunday's game, though he continued to play.
Akers made just one of three field-goal attempts against the Saints, leaving him 19-for-27 on the season. Last year, he set an NFL single-season record with 44 field goals (on 52 attempts).
Cundiff, 32, is a veteran of five NFL teams. He appeared in five games for the Washington Redskins earlier this season, making seven of 12 field-goal attempts.
Kaeding, 30, had his contract terminated by the San Diego Chargers in late October after he was sidelined for a month due to a groin injury. He made all seven of his field-goal attempts early this season. In 2011, he tore a knee ligament on the opening kickoff of the season and missed the rest of the year.
Harbaugh also addressed the team's running back situation with backup Kendall Hunter landing on injured reserve Tuesday, reportedly due to a torn left Achilles tendon.
"Brandon Jacobs, LaMichael James, Anthony Dixon are going to have to do to fill that void that Kendall's leaving. We feel good about those guys," Harbaugh said.
Jacobs has been active for two games this season, and he got his first carry Sunday, gaining 1 yard. He played the previous seven seasons with the New York Giants.
Dixon has 12 carries for 48 yards and a touchdown. James, a rookie from Oregon, has yet to see action this season.
