Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Over two months ago, San Francisco 49ers defensive tackle Arik Armstead suffered a meniscus injury; he tore his right knee during a victory against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Arik Armstead’s Injury and Initial Impact
The injury occurred early in the game on December 3 in Philadelphia. Despite feeling unfit, Armstead finished the game but he did not play again until January 20, when the 49ers faced the Green Bay Packers in a crucial NFC divisional-round matchup.
Armstead was sidelined with knee and foot injuries throughout his absence, although the focus was initially on plantar fasciitis in his foot. However, Armstead clarified that while his foot was problematic, the meniscus tear was the primary issue.
“I thought my season was over after the Philly game,” Armstead said. “I tore my meniscus and didn’t know if I was going to be able to come back and put in a lot of hard work to get back for the playoffs.”
Targeted Return for Training Camp
Armstead showcased resilience during the postseason, logging 148 snaps and contributing 11 tackles, a sack, a fumble recovery, and seven quarterback pressures across three games.
Now facing offseason surgery, Armstead anticipates a lengthy recovery but aims to return around training camp in late July or August.
“We’ll see,” Armstead said. “The time window should be around then for training camp, so we’ll see how it goes. But that’s what I was dealing with and I wouldn’t have missed this run for anything. I’m glad I was able to get back and help my team get to the Super Bowl and try to win one. Like I said, our team is too special and I wouldn’t have missed that for anything.”
Arik Armstead’s Tenure with the 49ers
As the most experienced player on the 49ers roster, Armstead is contracted for next season, marking his 10th year with the team since being drafted 17th overall in the 2015 NFL draft.
Additional Defensive Tackle Injuries Revealed by GM
49ers general manager John Lynch revealed that Armstead wasn’t the sole defensive tackle playing through injury at the season’s end, citing Javon Hargrave’s thumb ligament tear.
“He decided we had too rare of an opportunity,” Lynch said. “That’s the thing that people don’t see at home, the sacrifice people are making.”
This report used information from ESPN.
