Why the 49ers Will Miss Arik Armstead Against the Ravens

Without Armstead, the 49ers' run defense is a problem, as we saw last week.

This week, Arik Armstead will miss his third straight game with plantar fasciitis in his foot, an injury that could keep him out until the playoffs. 

This injury first popped up last season for Armstead, and it cost him eight games in 2022. But since the 49ers traded for Christian McCaffrey midway through last season, they have won the past six games that Armstead has missed. So he's important, but not essential most of the time. That's how good the 49ers are.

This week, however, they really could use Armstead.

One of the 49ers' only weaknesses is their run defense -- they rank 20th out of 32 teams in yards per carry allowed. And that's with 12 games of Armstead, who is an elite run defender and the 49ers' most stout defensive linemen.

Without Armstead, the 49ers' run defense is a problem, as we saw last week when the 49ers beat the Cardinals 45-29. Sure, the 49ers offense played well, but the defense gave up 29 points most because it gave up a grotesque 234 yards on the ground to a team that has won just three games.

Now the 49ers have to face the Ravens, who have the No. 1 rushing attack in the NFL, and they have to face them without Armstead, which means the Ravens should win the battle of the trenches, at least on run plays. The 49ers still will have Javon Hargrave, Nick Bosa, Javon Kinlaw and Chase Young -- four good pass rushers. But Armstead is their only defensive tackle who can't be moved by a double-team block, and the Ravens have an excellent offensive line.

If the 49ers lose to the Ravens, the absence of Armstead could be the reason why.