49ers will pick up $9M option on Armstead
Defensive lineman Arik Armstead’s injury issues and minimal production haven’t scared off the 49ers, who on Monday announced they’ll pick up his 2019 option worth over $9 million.
That would make Armstead the 49ers’ secondhighest salary behind only quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo. But that fifth-year option in Armstead’s rookie deal only becomes guaranteed if he’s seriously injured in 2018 or on the 2019 season-opening roster.
“Arik is a guy we think gives us a lot of versatility,” general manager John Lynch said last week. “We feel like the light kind of went on. Was asked to move from one scheme to another one. We’re excited about having him back and what he can do for us this year.”
The 49ers haven’t announced if they’ll pick up the 2019 option of left guard Laken Tomlinson, estimated to be about $9.6 million.
Armstead, a 2015 firstround pick (17th overall), has just six career sacks in 30 games and 11 starts. A fractured hand kept him out the final 10 games last season during which he had shifted into more of an edge-rusher role. Shoulder surgery ended his 2016 season after eight games.
In other moves Monday, the 49ers released five players: linebackers Jimmie Gilbert, Boseko Lokombo, and Donavin Newsom, and defensive backs Dexter McCoil and Channing Stribling.
Among the seven undrafted players signed ahead of this week’s rookie minicamp is former Dartmouth and Menlo SchoolAtherton quarterback Jack Heneghan, son of former 49ers executive Lal Heneghan. Jack Heneghan (6-foot-4, 230 pounds) had 28 touchdown passes and 20 interceptions the past two seasons at Dartmouth. He joins a 49ers quarterback group of Garoppolo, C.J. Beathard and Nick Mullens.
Other undrafted players signed are wide receiver Steven Dunbar (Houston), tight end Ross Dwelley (San Diego), offensive linemen Alan Knott (South Carolina) and James McGloster (Syracuse), defensive lineman Niles Scott (Frostburg State), and safety Terrell Williams (Houston). RAIDERS’ PENN, WIFE, DISPUTE REPORT >> Donald Penn and his wife, Dominique, issued a joint statement through representative Denise White in response to a TMZ report saying the Raiders’ left tackle was a suspect in a domestic violence incident.
“There was a verbal disagreement, there was NO physical altercation,” the statement to TMZ said. “The two are in the middle of a divorce and it is a hard time for both parties.”
Earlier Monday morning, TMZ reported the Raiders’ veteran allegedly slapped his wife’s butt before pouring a drink on her head and grabbing her by the wrist Sunday evening. The report also stated Penn was gone by the time police arrived at his house.
Penn signed a two-year, $21 million extension last season and is currently healing from season-ending foot surgery that cost him the last two games of 2017. He has not yet participating in Oakland’s offseason workouts.
The Raiders’ drafted two offensive linemen in this year’s draft, Kolton Miller in the first round and Brandon Parker to begin the third round. After the Raiders selected Miller No. 15 overall, Penn tweeted “MORE MOTIVATION” but has since deleted the tweet. Jon Gruden said the Miller pick had nothing to do with Penn. — Matt Schneidman
STEELERS RELEASE VETERAN SAFETY >> The Pittsburgh Steelers released veteran safety J.J. Wilcox just days after selecting a pair of safeties in the NFL draft.
Wilcox played in 12 games for the Steelers in 2017 after Pittsburgh acquired him from Tampa Bay last September for late-round picks in both the 2018 and 2019 drafts. Wilcox had one interception with Pittsburgh while playing primarily as a reserve.
The Steelers have overhauled their defensive backfield in the offseason. Wilcox is the third safety to be released by Pittsburgh in the past two months, joining Mike Mitchell and Robert Golden.
The Steelers drafted two safeties over the weekend, taking Terrell Edmunds out of Virginia Tech in the first round and Penn State’s Marcus Allen in the fifth. ONE FOR THE AGED >> The Minnesota Vikings have re-signed cornerback Terence Newman, bringing the NFL’s oldest active defensive player back for a 16th season that will begin five days after he turns 40.
Newman, who has played the last three years with the Vikings, has 42 career interceptions to lead all active players in the league.