Armstrong sidelined by pectoral injury
The 49ers placed inside linebacker Ray-Ray Armstrong on injured reserve with a pectoral injury he sustained in a 46-27 loss at Carolina on Sunday.
Armstrong, 25, was enjoying a strong start to the season. In two games, he had eight tackles, two pass breakups, one tackle for a loss, an interception and a fumble recovery in 69 snaps.
Gerald Hodges has started both games, but Armstrong was playing more snaps prior to his injury. Hodges and Michael Wilhoite, who hasn’t played a defensive snap this season, will attempt to fill the void. Hodges has 12 tackles, a sack and a forced fumble in 75 snaps.
“It sucks, but I’ve said all along that we’re going to need Wilhoite, we’re going to need Gerald to win football games,” defensive coordinator Jim O’Neil said. “And those guys will step up, and they’ll do a great job in that role.”
Armstrong, who entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 2013, had appeared to have found a home with the 49ers, who claimed him off waivers from the Raiders in November. Armstrong, who has five career starts, was waived by the Rams in 2014.
“I thought he was playing his butt off,” O’Neil said. “He was playing a really good game for us; he made some splash plays in that Carolina game. It’s just one of those unfortunate deals that happen in this league …
“I feel bad for the kid, though, because I know how hard he’s worked to get to this point. And he had the opportunity to be a starter in this league and two games in, he’s losing his season.”
The 49ers haven’t made a corresponding move to fill Armstrong’s roster spot. Progress report: Rookie guard Joshua Garnett, the No. 28 overall pick, hasn’t played an offensive snap in the first two games. After he was inactive in Week 1, Garnett made his NFL debut Sunday with six specialteams snaps.
“The main thing for him is just to get him reps and get him more and more comfortable with the speed of the game in the NFL,” offensive coordinator Curtis Modkins said. “I think he’s doing a good job of that. I think he’s coming. I think he’s close, but we’ve just got to keep working.” Injury report: Right tackle Anthony Davis (concussion) was riding a stationary bike in the weight room during practice. Davis was injured in practice Thursday.
Backup safety Jaquiski Tartt was also on a stationary bike during practice. Tartt played 21 of 83 snaps Sunday and there was no announcement that he had had an injury during the game.