Shanahan: 49ers concerned with nagging Arik Armstead injury

The 49ers may be on a six-game win streak, but they’ll have to keep the good times going without Arik Armstead for now.

The San Francisco 49ers listed the defensive tackle as out for Week 16’s clash with the Baltimore Ravens Saturday. Armstead has missed the last two games due to lingering foot and knee issues. Unable to see the practice field for weeks, time is starting to work against him and the Red & Gold this season.

“Yes, we’re concerned,” 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan stated about Armstead’s injury. “We do think he has a chance each week, but I’d say it’s a little more the foot than the knee. Something that’s bothered him for a little bit. I’m just hoping the pain will go down.”

#49ers DL Arik Armstead is dealing more with a foot issue than the knee at this point, per Kyle Shanahan. Shanahan says the foot issue is similar to what Armstead was dealing with last year.

No certainty on a timeline for his return.

— Nick Wagoner (@nwagoner) December 23, 2023

Arik Armstead, 30, is no stranger to lower body ailments, missing half of the 2022 season due to plantar fasciitis. That injury can have a reoccurring pattern, with Shanahan believing that the 2023 version is similar to last season.

The Sacramento native was in the midst of bounce back season before getting hurt, picking up 27 combined tackles and five sacks in 12 games. He also has 13 quarterback hits, and is the 49ers’ best interior run defender.

Starting DT back in the fold

Not all injury news was bad for the 49ers this week, with DT Javon Hargrave listed as questionable for Christmas night.

Hargrave has been dealing with a hamstring strain in suffered Week 14 against the Seattle Seahawks. The injury forced him to miss his first game of the season in Week 15, leaving the Red & Gold very short-handed.

Now two weeks removed, the South Carolina native seems on track to return to the field for the 49ers Week 16.

“Yeah, he did good. He was able to get that out there today. Got the most work in there today, but it’s all walk-through. So he’s still questionable,” Shanahan added.

As for Hargrave’s stance on playing; He was coy intially, eventually revealing his desire to be out there against the Baltimore Ravens Monday night.

“I guess we’ll see,” he said. “All these right now are big games for us…I just ain’t used to missing games. So, I want to be able to play in all of them.”

Additionally, the 49ers will be down a slew of valuable contributors, including wide receiver Jauan Jennings.

Jennings isn’t known as a stat-stuffer for San Francisco. Instead, he’s seen as the team’s best run blocker at wideout, also becoming an indispensable target on third down for QB Brock Purdy.

The Tennessee native has been in the concussion protocol all week, unable to pass enough barriers to be cleared to play by Monday night.

“He’s made steps, but that’s why we had to rule him out just with the protocol and stuff. Not enough to be able to play,” Shanahan stated.

Joining Jennings off the field is tight Ross Dwelley (ankle) and linebacker Oren Burks (knee).

49ers Saturday practice sights:
Participating:
DT Javon Hargrave
RB Elijah Mitchell

Not practicing:
WR Jauan Jennings
DT Arik Armstead
LB Oren Burks
TE Ross Dwelley

Scout team stars:
CB Jason Verrett
TE Jake Tonges
S Erik Harris pic.twitter.com/5LYvk37qF7

— Cam Inman (@CamInman) December 23, 2023

Upcoming San Francisco 49ers Schedule

• Monday, Dec. 25th vs. Baltimore Ravens – 5:15 p.m. PST
• Sunday, Dec. 31st @ Washington Commanders – 10:00 a.m. PST
• Sunday, Jan. 7th vs. Los Angeles Rams – TBD
• NFL Playoffs (TBD)

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