A person with knowledge of the deal says the San Francisco 49ers have signed kicker Billy Cundiff to compete with struggling veteran David Akers.

The person spoke on condition of anonymity Tuesday because there had been no formal announcement. Coach Jim Harbaugh said Monday the NFC West champion Niners (11-4-1), off this week as the NFC's No. 2 seed, planned to try out kickers.

Cundiff was released by the Washington Redskins on Oct. 9 after missing 5 of his 12 field goal attempts. He had already worked out once for the Niners on Nov. 27 before they invited him back.

Cundiff spent the 2009-11 seasons with the Baltimore Ravens, who are coached by Harbaugh's big brother, John. But he was cut after last season, when he missed a potential tying 32-yard field goal in the closing seconds of the AFC championship game that sent New England to the Super Bowl.

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