Who Should I Start? Matt Gay or Ryan Fitzgerald

Wednesday, November 19, 7:06 PM

The San Francisco 49ers signed free-agent kicker Matt Gay to their practice squad on Wednesday and released wide receiver Russell Gage Jr. from their practice squad in a corresponding move, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. Eddy Pineiro (hamstring) suffered a Grade 1 hamstring strain in the Week 11 win over the Arizona Cardinals and is not expected to be available to kick this coming Monday night against the Carolina Panthers. Gay was just waived by the Washington Commanders on Monday after missing two kicks in a three-point loss to the Miami Dolphins on Sunday in Madrid. The 31-year-old veteran looks like he'll be the 49ers' short-term replacement at place kicker with Pineiro injured, but fantasy managers should be looking to stay away. The seven-year veteran has been inconsistent, making 13 of his 19 field-goal tries in 10 games, including going 4-for-9 from 50-plus yards out.

Saturday, November 8, 1:34 AM

Ryan Fitzgerald is a viable fill-in option if a deeper one is needed for Week 10. In last week's game against the Green Bay Packers, the Carolina kicker nailed his only field goal attempt and was 1-for-2 on extra point attempts. The rookie kicker has recorded an average of 7.2 fantasy points this season while hitting all of his field goal attempts in four of the last five weeks. Over the last four weeks, the Saints have allowed 10 points per game to the kicker position, which ranks 28th of all teams. New Orleans has also given up an average of 27 points to opposing teams, which is tied for 24th-most in the league this season. The matchup appears to be favorable for Fitzgerald, and while he is ranked just 18th at kicker by RotoBaller for Week 10, he could provide adequate fantasy totals.