Young linemen jump into fray as losses mount

SANTA CLARA — The next step in the evolution of 49ers defensive tackle Arik Armstead is a flashback of sorts, and he can only hope it will bear similar results.

Joshua Garnett, meanwhile, has already critiqued and processed his first NFL start while understanding the magnitude of his mission this week.

With the 49ers at 1-5 with five consecutive losses heading into Sunday’s game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Levi’s Stadium, that’s what the last 10 games are about unless you’re of the opinion the postseason remains a possibility.

An important part of making sure the 2017 roster is better fortified will be to make play-

ers identified as potential top-tier NFL talent are put on the fast-track to make that happen sooner, rather than later.

Armstead, the No. 17 pick in the first round of the draft in 2015, has seen a spike in playing time over the last two weeks, getting a season-high 91 percent of the snaps (62) against Arizona and 81 percent (64) against Buffalo, despite coach Chip Kelly’s penchant for rotating defensive linemen.

Against the Bills, Armstead (6-foot-7, 292 pounds) had a sack and forced fumble.

“It was a pretty good start getting a turnover early,” Armstead said. “Every game you want to come out with a start like that.”

With a shoulder injury starting to feel better, Armstead can count on a heavy workload and use next week’s bye for additional healing.

“I think he’s feeling better and we know as a defense we need him to be a difference maker in the run and pass game for us,” defensive coordinator Jim O’Neil said. “So he’s got to be out there for us.”

Armstead is looking forward to seeing Tampa quarterback Jameis Winston on the field for the first time since Jan. 1, 2015, when Oregon beat Florida State 59-20 in the Rose Bowl.

Winston passed for 348 yards, but while dropping back to pass, he lost a fumble that was returned 58 yards for a touchdown by Tony Washington to put Oregon up 45-20. The Seminoles came in as the defending national champion.

“It was fun proving people wrong and getting after him,” Armstead said.

Garnett, who played 20 snaps in the Arizona game before playing the entire game in Buffalo, has a big challenge in front of him in the form of Tampa Bay defensive tackle Gerald McCoy.

One of the NFL’s top interior pass rushers, McCoy was the third overall pick out of Oklahoma in 2010 and has 37 ⁄ sacks, including two this season. He has made the last four Pro Bowls.

As a first-round draft pick from Stanford this year and winner of the Outland Trophy for the nation’s top lineman, Garnett sees McCoy as a measuring stick for his development.

Garnett got mixed reviews from both Kelly and offensive coordinator Curtis Modkins, and conceded he made his share of mistakes.

“I feel like this is the game where, OK, I’ve played in two NFL games now, I’ve seen it, gone against some high-caliber guys,” Garnett said. “But this week is a huge test with McCoy. He’s one of the best pass rushers I’ve ever seen. He’s a great player.”

Kelly refuted the common-held notion that quarterback Colin Kaepernick has issues with touch and anticipation when it comes to the passing game.

“I think part of that is understanding the concepts that you’re teaching and what you’re being asked to do,” Kelly said. “There’s certain plays you have to put touch on and I’ve seen that displayed in practice.”

Kelly noted the wind in Buffalo as an issue with some of Kaepernick’s throws.

Wide receiver Torrey Smith said Kaepernick had a good week of practice, and getting additional reps because of that status could help.

“It’s all fine and dandy in practice, but you’ve got to go make those plays in games and everything else will come together,” Smith said.

Mike Davis, expected to split duties at running back with Shaun Draughn with Carlos Hyde out with a shoulder injury, feels better and more productive at 205 pounds than his previous weight of 217.

“My power is the same, the only thing that feels different is the speed, my mindset, my confidence,” Davis said. “My body fat was high, now it’s lower and I have more confidence in myself.”

Smith was added to the injury list with a back strain but was limited in practice, as was defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey (knee).