Sack leader Armstead earns a day off
Defensive lineman, having a career season, has been the ‘glue that puts all this together’
BRADENTON, FLA. » Arik Armstead, the 49ers’ sack leader, slowly walked off the practice field with trainers as Thursday’s session began at IMG Academy.
It was not an encouraging sight 72 hours before the 49ers (10-2) visit Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints (10-2).
But Armstead was only taking a veteran rest day, defensive coordinator Robert Saleh said in rewarding Armstead for playing more than any defensive lineman (61 of 65 snaps) in Sunday’s 20-17 loss at Baltimore.
The thought of losing Armstead, 26, on the precipice of the season’s most meaningful game to date put in perspective how impactful he’s been, as Saleh and teammates testified.
“He’s one of the most violent defensive linemen in football,” Saleh said. “The knock-back he creates, especially when he’s matched up on a tight end. He’s very versatile and has great pocket push. He means a lot.
“He’s kind of the glue that puts all this together and, between all of them, they have a unique skill set that helps them work together.”
Armstead was in uniform and appeared to have taken part in the walk-through session before Thursday’s full practice began.
He is enjoying the best season of his five-year career. His 10 sacks are more than his combined total (9½) of the previous four seasons since being drafted 17th overall.
“I saw this floating around on social media about his progression throughout the years of how many sacks he’s had, and I didn’t realize the jump he’s made this
season,” teammate Fred Warner said. “He’s taking his game to another level. He’s a guy that they’re for sure circling.”
Armstead has appeared in every game since last season, a welcome change after injury limited him to 14 games over the previous two seasons en route to injured reserve. He lines up both on the edge and inside, and he’s played 73% of the defense’s snaps this year.
“He’s a problem. He’s a big problem,” defensive end Dee Ford said. “He can rush inside, he can rush outside, he can play the run inside and outside. He’s just dangerous.”
When Armstead makes a sack, he sets aside his softspoken nature and proudly displays his belly-rub celebration.
“Other than that, he’s all about business. The dude is locked in,” Warner added.
Trailing Armstead for the team’s sack lead are: Nick Bosa (8), Ford (6 ½), Blair (3) and Warner (3)
The 49ers’ defensive line has been the team’s catalyst this season. A weekly wave of injuries over the past month has tested the line’s depth, including seasonending injuries to Ronald Blair (knee) and Damontre Moore (arm), as well as Jullian Taylor’s elbow injury that will sideline him at least the next couple games.
• Wide receiver Dante Pettis practiced for the first time since sustaining a sprained knee last Wednesday.
Strong safety Jaquiski Tartt (ribs) and Taylor (elbow) missed a second straight day of practice. Marcell Harris likely would start in place of
Tartt, as was the case the final month of last season.
Linebacker Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles, who’s on the practice squad, appeared to hurt his knee on the first snap of a specialteams drill.
Running back Matt Breida (ankle) practiced for a second straight day and looks ready to return from a three-game absence.
• Warner won the NFC Defensive Player of the Month award for November, after Bosa won it in October. “As the season’s gone on, I”m getting in a groove and playing faster,” Warner said.
Last week, Ravens coach John Harbaugh remarked that “most people didn’t have ( Warner) as a draftpick guy,” although the 49ers took him in the third round last year. “I saw the comment. I’m saving that one for later,” Warner responded. “I’ll take that as a compliment, for now.”
• Bosa leads all NFL defenders with 224,397 votes in the latest Pro Bowl update, and the 49ers lead all teams in votes garnered. George Kittle ( 198,355) is tops among NFC tight ends and is nearly 40,000 votes shy of the Kansas City Chiefs’ Travis Kelce (241,066). Fullback Kyle Juszczyk and cornerback Richard Sherman also are among the top vote getters.