Niner Noise
FanSided

San Francisco 49ers: 5 biggest disappointments in training camp so far

By Peter Panacy

SANTA CLARA, CA - MAY 23: Jimmie Ward #25 of the San Francisco 49ers stretches during 49ers Rookie Minicamp on May 23, 2014 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA - MAY 23: Jimmie Ward #25 of the San Francisco 49ers stretches during 49ers Rookie Minicamp on May 23, 2014 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
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DENVER, CO – AUGUST 29: Defensive tackle Arik Armstead #69 of the San Francisco 49ers lines up against the Denver Broncos during preseason action at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on August 29, 2015 in Denver, Colorado. The Broncos defeated the 49ers 19-12. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO – AUGUST 29: Defensive tackle Arik Armstead #69 of the San Francisco 49ers lines up against the Denver Broncos during preseason action at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on August 29, 2015 in Denver, Colorado. The Broncos defeated the 49ers 19-12. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images) /

No. 5: Defensive Tackle Arik Armstead

The 49ers have spent considerable effort investing in their defensive line, and 2015 first-round draftee Arik Armstead kicked off that trend during Trent Baalke’s tenure at general manager.

San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco 49ers /

San Francisco 49ers

Armstead was a bit of an odd commodity for the Niners’ new regime a year ago. Defensive coordinator Robert Saleh hoped to get the most out of Armstead’s pass-rushing abilities by putting him at the LEO spot last year, but that didn’t exactly pan out, and Armstead ended up missing all but six games in 2017 with a hand injury.

Entering 2018, the idea was to move Armstead to the big end, 5-technique position, which was arguably the smartest way to deploy his natural skill set.

The only problem, however, is Armstead is yet again injured. This time it’s a hamstring injury.

San Francisco announced the injury back on July 31, and Armstead is now listed as week-to-week. He’ll likely miss a good chunk of the preseason, and his availability for Week 1 is now in question.

San Francisco’s defensive line managed to hold its own without Armstead last year, especially after grabbing former Jacksonville Jaguars defensive tackle Sheldon Day off waivers. Now the 49ers did pick up Armstead’s fifth-year option earlier this offseason, although his $9-plus million salary in 2019 won’t become fully guaranteed until the start of the league’s new year in March.

Barring some incredible turnaround this season, it doesn’t appear likely the Niners will want to hold onto that fifth-year option.