Arik Armstead Misses Practice Again; Says He'll be Active vs. Eagles

Arik Armstead was absent again on Thursday from 49ers practice, but says that he will be available when they face the Eagles.

Arik Armstead missed his second consecutive practice for the 49ers this week with a foot injury. 

That typically would start to put his status for the upcoming game in serious doubt. Two practices missed trends more towards being inactive than active. However, when reporters were allowed in the locker room Thursday prior to practice, Armstead made it clear that he will be active when the 49ers play the Eagles.

#49ers DT Arik Armstead, who didn’t practice Wednesday due to a foot injury, said he will play Sunday vs. Eagles.

— Eric Branch (@Eric_Branch) November 30, 2023

So, it seems that his absence from practice this week is more as a precaution. He wants to be as fully fit as possible when he takes on such a formidable foe in the Eagles, and rightfully so. Yesterday when he missed practice, I had my concerns about his availability for this week. Armstead is dealing with a foot injury, which is what derailed a portion of his season last year. 

Plantar fasciitis was what was nagging him last year, and that is an injury that comes and goes. Even though Armstead says he is playing against the Eagles, you still have to wonder if his plantar fasciitis is returning. At least he will be active for such a critical game for the 49ers. For now, it is not a worry and can be viewed as a precautionary method. Better to do that than to put added stress on Armstead' foot. 

The 49ers cannot be without him against the Eagles as he has been so dominant in the last four games. This is a game that San Francisco cannot afford to lose. Playoff seeding is at stake as well as the mental hurdle of knowing they can beat the Eagles at Lincoln Field. That mental edge will come in handy if the 49ers cannot surpass the Eagles in the playoff seeding. 

All hands on deck for this intense battle.