Matthew Wright's Preseason With Panthers Lands Him an Opportunity

When Carolina Panthers kicker Eddy Pineiro identified a groin strain, the team told him to just shut it down and focus on getting rest instead of trying to kick through the soreness. 

While Pineiro was sidelined, the Panthers had to bring in another kicker, not to compete for the job, but to fill a void and have an opportunity to earn a spot elsewhere. 

Carolina brought in Matthew Wright, who spent some time with the Steelers, Jaguars, and Chiefs converting on 40 of his 46 field goal attempts. In three preseason games with the Panthers, Wright went a perfect 2/2 on PATs and 2/2 on field goals, one of which he knocked through from 53 yards out.

After a strong showing in the preseason, Wright accomplished what he came to Carolina to do - get a job. Thursday afternoon, he signed to the practice squad of the San Francisco 49ers and with Jake Moody dealing with an injury, there's a chance Wright could be active to begin the year.