K Joe Nedney re-signs with 49ers

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Associated Press

National Football League News Wire

SANTA CLARA, Calif. - Kicker Joe Nedney re-signed with the San Francisco 49ers on Saturday after a strong debut season with the club.

Nedney was one of the brightest spots in the 49ers' 4-12 campaign, making 26 of his 28 field-goal attempts and all 19 of his extra points while providing strong kickoffs. He signed with San Francisco as a free agent after missing nearly all of the previous two seasons with injuries.

Nedney, a San Jose native who will turn 33 this month, has kicked for six NFL teams since leaving San Jose State. He had his best season with Carolina in 2000, then played for Tennessee from 2001-04.

But he made one field goal for the Titans in the 2003 season opener before tearing a ligament in his right knee while making a tackle on the ensuing kickoff. Exactly one year later, Nedney tore his hamstring in practice. Both injuries ended his season.

Re-signing Nedney was one of the top offseason priorities for the 49ers, who struggled with a series of mediocre kickers in recent years before Nedney's arrival. Nedney earlier said he wanted to finish his career in San Francisco.