49ers are "Concerned" With Arik Armstead's Foot Injury

It's time to hit the panic button on Arik Armstead.

He is going to miss his third consecutive game for the 49ers when they play host to the Ravens on Monday night. He has been dealing with a foot and knee injury, which turns out that his foot injury is similar to the one he dealt with last year. Because of that, the 49ers are officially concerned with Armstead going forward.

“Yes, we're concerned. We do think he has a chance each week," said Kyle Shanahan. "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.”

Arik Armstead has been dealing with a foot injury since Nov. 29. That is when he missed his first practice for the 49ers. Initially, I had some concern about it since Armstead dealt with foot injuries last year, especially plantar fasciitis. Sure enough, that is what is derailing him this time of the season. An injury like that is one that can re-emerge. It doesn't simply go away when the pain subsides.

It's basically like a boomerang with how it comes back. There's just no predicting when it will. Unfortunately for Armstead, it arrives at a time when the 49ers are in the middle of ramping up for their playoff run. His absence is starting to be felt in the run defense. The Cardinals proved that last week when they ran for 234 yards. Javon Hargrave was also out of that game, but now it just puts more pressure on Hargrave to return with Armstead's availability in flux.

The good news is that it seems like Armstead will make his return. It's just blurry as to when that will be, which will be predicated on how he can manage the pain or if it goes away. Consider Armstead a true week-to-week player from this point on, and do not be surprised if he misses Week 17 either.