49ers Receive Encouraging News With Arik Armstead

The 49ers received encouraging news with Arik Armstead this week as he is expected to return to practice on Thursday.

Arik Armstead has been out of action for the 49ers since Week 14.

A foot and a knee injury (mostly his foot) has been the issue. Given how much time he has missed, it would indicate that it is significant, but it has mainly been about the pain tolerance. And it would seem that the plantar fasciitis that plagued him last season is specifically the issue that has returned. Thankfully the 49ers received encouraging news with Armstead this week as he is expected to return to practice on Thursday. 

“He's doing better. He looked good today and that was the test and that's why we're going to get him into practice Thursday and hopefully it goes well and we'll get him in a little bit Friday," said Shanahan. 

"We've been trying to give him as much rest as possible. He would've gone last week if we needed that. That's why we were really pumped that we were able to get that, so he didn't have to go last week. So just giving him this extra week, he's better right now than he was a week ago at this time. So hopefully that extra week we'll give him enough to ease back into this and make him even better a week from now.”

Having Armstead back, and the fact that he could've toughed it out last week if was necessary, does wonders for the 49ers. A large part in the lack of a strong run defense and some slip in pass rushing efficiency is due to his absence. With Armstead trending in the right direction, it will put him on track to return when the 49ers play in the divisional playoff round. 

This development only emphasizes how pivotal it was for the 49ers to clinch the No. 1 seed in the NFC. Rather than forcing Armstead into a game where it would be uncomfortable, they grant him the chance to be closer to full strength to give them more snaps and efficiency. The same goes for all of their players who are currently working their way back from injuries. 

The 49ers are getting stronger at the perfect time.