Former Chargers K Nate Kaeding has decided to retire.

Injuries have crippled the career of one of the most accurate kickers in league history. First it was an ACL tear and now it's a groin injury that Kaeding can't get past. "It's not like I can switch the way I kick, or change this way, or use a different muscle," he said. "Especially for me, and the way I kick, that's the main lever in the kicking motion. It's impossible to avoid it and I've got these chronic issues." Over 10 years with the Chargers, Kaeding made 86.2 percent of his field goals and went to two Pro Bowls. He led the NFL in points scored in 2009 with 146.

Bucs signed K Nate Kaeding.

Thanks to an ACL tear and a groin injury, Kaeding is no longer in the mix for a starting opportunity. He'll be a mere offseason leg behind Connor Barth, who has gone 54-of-61 (88.5 percent) on field goals over the last two seasons.

Dolphins signed K Nate Kaeding, formerly of the Chargers.

Now recovered from his own early-season groin injury, Kaeding will replace Dan Carpenter, who is battling a groin injury of his own. One of the most accurate kickers in NFL history, Kaeding has drilled 87 percent of his 207 field-goal attempts in nine seasons.

The 49ers tried out free agent kickers Nate Kaeding and Billy Cundiff.

It's a sign the 49ers are losing patience with David Akers, who missed two field goals indoors in New Orleans on Sunday. He's just 19-of-27 on the season. Although Kaeding has a long injury history, he's a much more accomplished kicker than Cundiff.

The Panthers worked out free agent K Nate Kaeding before signing Graham Gano.

Kaeding's groin is apparently well enough to work out but not healthy enough to beat out Gano in a workout setting. If Kaeding is truly back to full strength, the Packers could turn to him in December if Mason Crosby's struggles continue.

Chargers will waive K Nate Kaeding.

The Chargers placed Kaeding on injured reserve due to a groin injury, but he's since passed a physical. They are waiving him so he can latch on with another team. Kaeding, a two-time Pro Bowler, shouldn't struggle for work.

Chargers placed K Nate Kaeding on injured reserve with a groin injury, ending his season.

Per the Union-Tribune San Diego, the Bolts are required to release Kaeding with an injury settlement once he's healthy, so he should be kicking elsewhere before the season is through. Nick Novak is now locked into kicking duties in San Diego. In the final season of a seven-year contract, Kaeding was once one of the league's top kickers, but has proven far too injury prone for a specialist.

Chargers K Nate Kaeding (groin) is targeting Week 8 for his return.

"If we keep progressing like we are, I think that's realistic," Kaeding said. He has already missed three straight games. During that time, Nick Novak has gone 5-of-6 with his only miss coming from 55 yards out.

Nate Kaeding (groin) missed practice on Saturday and will not kick against the Broncos on Monday night.

Kaeding is considering himself as day-to-day, but he's not ready to return to kicking duties. Nick Novak will handle the job for at least another week.

Nate Kaeding (groin) is not expected to kick in Week 6 versus the Broncos.

Keading insists he's "day-to-day," but he was held out of practice Thursday. He's not ready to regain kicking duties. Expect Nick Novak to handle field goals for at least one more week.

Chargers kicker Nate Kaeding (groin) insists he's still day-to-day.

"Not a lot of change since when I did it. Still working on it," Kaeding said. Kaeding has missed the past two weeks. Nick Novak was signed prior to Week 4 and is four-for-five on field goals and seven-for-seven on extra points. The Chargers play on Monday night and won't practice until Thursday, so we should have a better feel for Kaeding's Week 6 status then.

Chargers declared K Nate Kaeding, RB Curtis Brinkley, S Brandon Taylor, CB Shareece Wright, LB Jonas Mouton, NT Antonio Garay and TE Ladarius Green inactive for Week 5 against the Saints.

With Kaeding "day-to-day," Nick Novak will handle kicking duties for the second consecutive game. Wright remains week-to-week with a high-ankle sprain.

Nate Kaeding (groin) has been ruled out for Week 5.

It's Kaeding's second straight absence. Kaeding insists he's "day-to-day," but it's long past time to move on if you haven't already. Kicker isn't worth the hassle.

Chargers K Nate Kaeding (groin) insists he will "absolutely" kick again this season.

An upbeat Kaeding labeled himself "day to day" after meeting with a specialist on Thursday. "Luckily, it is more of a hiccup than anything," Kaeding added. Nick Novak will continue to handle kicking chores until Kaeding is ready to return.

Chargers K Nate Kaeding (groin) is "week-to-week," but could be headed to injured reserve.

Kaeding met with a specialist on Tuesday, and CBS' Jason La Canfora "(continues) to hear" he could be headed to I.R. The Chargers simply couldn't afford to use two roster spots on kickers if Kaeding is set to miss anything more than a few weeks. At this point, he should be owned in zero percent of fantasy leagues.

Chargers K Nate Kaeding (groin) is expected to be sidelined "a while."

Nick Novak will kick in Week 5 against the Saints. Kaeding was once one of the league's top kickers, but has grown troublingly injury prone, missing 19 games the past three seasons. Headed for free agency, it's fair to wonder how long the Chargers will hold his roster spot. Kaeding should be dropped in all fantasy leagues.

Chargers K Nate Kaeding (groin) didn't travel with the team to Kansas City and won't play in Week 4.

Nick Novak will assume kicking duties for San Diego this weekend, and could be the Chargers' kicker for the near future. Fantasy owners should make sure to get Kaeding out of their starting lineups.

Chargers K Nate Kaeding was forced from Friday's practice with groin soreness, and is questionable for Week 4.

Nate Kaeding (ACL surgery) went 5-for-5 on field goals in Monday night's win over the Raiders.

Kaeding proved that he's 100 percent recovered from his injury. He also tied a career high with six touchbacks and made field goals from 50 and 54 yards out during the preseason. Kaeding is a quality kicking option for fantasy owners.

Chargers K Nate Kaeding (ACL surgery) said he's reached "the end of my rehab process."

Kaeding sustained his tear during Week 1 last season. The good news is that the damage was to his plant leg, not his kicking leg. If healthy, he shouldn't have a problem beating out Nick Novak. "If we had to play a game right now, I feel like I'm dialed in enough to do it," Kaeding said.