When the team moved on from Tucker, DeCosta released a statement citing "current roster" considerations as being part of the decision. Harbaugh is now suggesting that Tucker's uncertain availability may have played a bigger role than his performance, which slipped noticeably for much of last season.

We’ve got to have a kicker ready to go,” Harbaugh said. “And there’s a whole lot of moving parts to that deal. It’s just the reality of it.”