SANTA CLARA — While tight end George Kittle will miss at least the 49ers’ next four games on injured reserve, kicker Jake Moody apparently will not suit up for them anymore.
The 49ers, NFL Network reported, will waive 2023 third-round pick Moody after two of his three field-goal attempts went awry in Sunday’s 17-13 season-opening win at Seattle. A 49ers spokesman said Tuesday morning that Moody’s departure was not official, although that transaction could come later Tuesday.
Kittle, a league source confirmed, will go on IR with a hamstring injury that sidelined him before halftime. He scored the 49ers’ first touchdown of the season (5-yard reception) to cap a 95-yard opening drive, and he totaled three catches before watching the remainder from the sideline.
Jake Tonges, one of the 49ers’ backup tight ends, produced the game-winning points by snatching Brock Purdy’s 4-yard touchdown pass with 1:34 remaining. Luke Farrell is the only other tight end on the roster, but Brayden Willis is an option to come up from the practice squad.
Kittle caught all four of his targets Sunday, including Purdy’s initial third-down throw for a conversion. Kittle, a ninth-year veteran, is the 49ers’ third all-time leading receiver behind Jerry Rice and Terrell Owens.
With an IR designation keeping Kittle out a minimum of four games, the earliest he could return is Week 6 at Tampa Bay, which is the likeliest spot also for wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk to make his debut off the Physically Unable to Perform list.
Another injured player who shouldn’t be overlooked is quarterback Brock Purdy, who sustained toe and left shoulder injuries Sunday that could prompt the 49ers to start Mac Jones in his place this week at New Orleans.
After visiting the Saints, the 49ers are home on consecutive Sundays against the Arizona Cardinals (Sept. 21, 1:25 p.m.) and the Jacksonville Jaguars (Sept. 28, 1:05 p.m.) before a Thursday night game at the Los Angeles (Oct. 2, 5:15 p.m.). That short week of practice may have played into Kittle going on IR for the full four-game hiatus.
It’s not immediately known who the 49ers have tabbed to replace Moody. Greg Joseph was cut after nine practices as Moody’s competition in training camp.
Although coach Kyle Shanahan expressed loyalty to Moody immediately after Sunday’s game, he was visibly frustrated after the initial field-goal miss, and Shanahan backtracked Tuesday to state the 49ers could try out other kickers or add one to the practice squad. “I know the personnel department’s going to look into all that stuff and give us those options,” Shanahan said.
Moody’s final gaffes — a 27-yard try off the left upright a minute before halftime, a 36-yarder blocked in the third quarter — carried over bad mojo that has followed him since the end of his rookie season. Such as:
— He missed 11-of-23 field-goal attempts since being rushed back from a high-ankle sprain last season.
— Drafted No. 99 overall, Moody made his first nine field-goal attempts (three each in his first three games) for a team headed for the Super Bowl.
— Moody finished his rookie season by missing a kick in each of the final four games, including field-goal attempts in the regular-season finale and two playoff wins before a point-after kick got blocked in the Super Bowl overtime loss to Kansas City.
— Last season, Moody went 6-for-6 on field-goal tries in an opening win over the New York Jets. He made his first 14 attempts to start the season before injuring his ankle attempting a tackle on a kick return. After a three-game hiatus, Moody made a dramatic return at Tampa Bay, missing his first three field-goal attempts and drawing a sideline confrontation with Deebo Samuel before Moody made a 44-yard, walk-off field goal as time expired in that 23-20 victory.
— Moody made 46-of-62 field-goal field-goal attempts with the 49ers, but was just 6-of-12 from at least 50 yards. He missed his final point-after kick at Levi’s Stadium in last season’s home finale against Detroit.
— In Sunday’s season-opening win, Moody made a 32-yard field goal to tie the score at 10 with 9:42 remaining, and he made the point-after kick following Tonges’ touchdown.