The San Francisco 49ers signed kicker Shane Andrus to start in the team's season finale Sunday at St. Louis.
The 49ers (7-8) were forced to make a move because kicker Ricky Schmitt went on injured reserve with a left groin problem and regular starter Joe Nedney has been sidelined with a hamstring injury. Schmitt was signed before last week's victory over the Detroit Lions, against whom he made 2 of 3 field-goal attempts.
Coach Mike Singletary said Friday that the 49ers needed to find a kicker from outside the organization.
Andrus was released by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in early November. He appeared in one game with the Indianapolis Colts and three with the Bucs this season. He missed his lone field-goal attempt.
Andrus tried out with the Colts for the fourth consecutive year. He also was with the Colts in 2006 and 2007, but he only lasted until training camp each time. He signed with the New York Giants in January 2008, but was waived last February after their Super Bowl victory over the New England Patriots and rejoined the Colts two weeks later.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
