Kyle Shanahan confirms DT Arik Armstead is good to go for Week 13

Dec 2, 2022, 2:46 PM | Updated: 3:15 pm

Defensive end Arik Armstead #91 of the San Francisco 49ers reacts after making a stop during the fi...

Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

San Francisco 49ers Beat Writer

It’s official 49ers Faithful: Defensive tackle Arik Armstead will return to the field for Week 13 vs. the Miami Dolphins.

San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan confirmed the defensive lineman’s return after practice Friday, cleared entirely from the injury report for this weekend. The Sacramento native has been on the sidelines since the fourth quarter of Week 4 against the LA Rams, suffering from a hairline fracture in his ankle, and plantar fasciitis in his foot.

Armstead returned to the practice field for the first time last Friday, getting limited action before missing Week 12 against the New Orleans Saints. The team conducted a follow-up workout with the big man last Sunday, passing all the barriers along the way to return to practice this week.

The player himself told reporters Thursday that he would be playing against the Dolphins, with his head coach’s confirmation setting it in stone.

#49ers RB Christian McCaffrey (knee) and DL Arik Armstead (foot, ankle) are participating in early open portion of practice on Friday. Both look headed toward playing Sunday. pic.twitter.com/Rzzd6pB8w5

— Nick Wagoner (@nwagoner) December 2, 2022

“[He] had a good week,” Shanahan stated about Armstead Friday. “I know he spoke highly about how he’s been feeling and has passed the eye test from our standpoint. So, excited to see him this weekend.”

Not all good news came out of 49ers HQ Friday as wide receiver Deebo Samuel is officially listed as questionable for Week 13 with a quad injury.

Samuel missed Thursday’s practice with the thigh contusion, returning the following day in a limited fashion. After being off the injury report Monday, there is some concern that Samuel will not be fit enough to go against the Dolphins as the injury continues to linger.

“No there was no setback,” Shanahan clarified. “When you have a deep thigh bruise you kind of have an idea of how it’s going to be and [it] just hasn’t been as good as we’ve expected by now. So we’re expecting [him] to be able to go full [practice] by now and [he] wasn’t able to so that’s why there’s some concern.”

Additionally, All-Pro left tackle Trent Williams left practice early Friday with a back issue. The coach confirmed that Williams felt his back spasming during warmups Friday, departing to receive treatment from the medical staff right away.

His status for Sunday is officially questionable, but Shanahan doesn’t seem too concerned about his availability.

“I’m not too concerned. Asked [run game coordinator Chris Foerster] if he’s alright and he said it’s big-guy problems. If you have [back spams] on game day, it’s a big deal. Had them today, so he will spend the day resting,” Shanahan added.

Meanwhile, running back Christian McCaffrey (knee) and quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (knee) are cleared to play Sunday afternoon against the Dolphins.