49ers sign veteran kicker Dawson, replace Akers
SAN FRANCISCO >> The San Francisco 49ers have found their new kicker to replace David Akers, signing Browns veteran free agent Phil Dawson to a one-year contract.
The Pro Bowl kicker announced earlier Tuesday via Twitter that he had joined the NFC champion Niners, who parted ways with the six-time Pro Bowler Akers on March 6 following a season in which he made only 29 of 42 attempts a year after he kicked an NFL single-season record 44 field goals.
The 38-year-old Dawson went 29 for 31 on field goals last season in his 14th year with the Browns, making all 13 of his attempts from 40 yards or beyond, including 7 for 7 from 50-plus.
Dawson tweeted he is “humbled and thrilled to have the opportunity to continue my career with my new team, the SF 49ers.”