49ers sack leader Arik Armstead misses practice ahead of New Orleans Saints game
Defensive lineman Arik Armstead, the 49ers’ leader in sacks, left the field at IMG Academy in Florida Thursday as the team began its second practice of the week ahead of Sunday’s pivotal game against the New Orleans Saints.
Armstead, 26, has 10 sacks in 12 games this season and has been a driving force along San Francisco’s dominant defensive front that’s anchoring the NFL’s No. 1-ranked passing defense allowing just 134 net yards per game.
The team did not immediately provide an update as to Armstead’s status or what kept him from practicing.
Not having Armstead on Sunday, of course, would be a significant blow for a defense facing quarterback Drew Brees and the Saints (10-2), who rank ninth in the league in passing yards per game (254) and scoring (24.8 points).
The Elk Grove native and Pleasant Grove High School alum is slated for free agency in the spring and could be in for a massive pay day from San Francisco, where he could be a candidate for the franchise tag at some $19 million, or another team. He’s one of eight players in the league with double-digit sacks as the 49ers are second in the NFL with 45 sacks as a team.
However, injuries have plagued Armstead’s career previously. He missed 18 games in 2016 and 2017 combined to have procedures on his shoulder and hand, respectively, and has appeared in all 16 games twice in his previous four seasons. Armstead to this point has appeared in all 12 games of 2019.
Meanwhile, wide receiver Dante Pettis was back practicing for the first time since spraining his knee before last week’s game against the Baltimore Ravens. Pettis in the previous three games failed to record a reception.
Safety Jaquiski Tartt (rib fracture) and defensive lineman Jullian Taylor (elbow) missed practice for the second straight day. Practice squad linebacker Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles appeared to go down with an injury during an early special teams drill during the portion of practice open to the media.
This story was originally published December 5, 2019 at 11:00 AM.