Armstead could have played in Sunday's regular-season finale against the Los Angeles Rams if the 49ers were still vying for playoff positioning.
"He would've gone last week if we needed that," head coach Kyle Shanahan said on Tuesday. "That's why we were really pumped that we were able to get that (the top seed), so he didn't have to go last week. So just giving him this extra week, he's better right now than he was a week ago at this time. So hopefully, that extra week will give him enough to ease back into this and make him even better a week from now."
The 49ers will hold their final practice of the week on Friday. However, no portion of that session will be open to the media.
Armstead's return could provide a boost for the Super Bowl-hopeful 49ers as they embark on their latest playoff run. The team holds the top seed and home-field advantage in the NFC, securing a first-round bye in the playoffs. San Francisco awaits the weakest-seeded winner from the Wild Card round.
Head coach Kyle Shanahan already stated that the NFL's leading rusher, Christian McCaffrey, would not practice this week. He is nursing a calf injury but is expected to be ready for the Divisional Playoff round.
Additionally, based on observations from local media, defensive end Clelin Ferrell, linebacker Dre Greenlaw (Achilles tendonitis), safety Tashaun Gipson (quadricep), and offensive lineman Jon Feliciano (back) didn't participate in practice. Ferrell is expected to miss at least the 49ers' first playoff game due to a knee injury.
Regarding Ferrell's status, Shanahan told reporters, "It's possible to get him back sometime in the playoffs."
Other recovering 49ers who participated in the Thursday session include tight end George Kittle (back), safeties Ji'Ayir Brown (knee) and George Odum (biceps), cornerback Ambry Thomas (hand), and wide receiver Jauan Jennings (concussion).
Related News
More San Francisco 49ers News
-
49ers' Fred Warner named first-team All-Pro; George Kittle, Kyle Juszczyk selected as alternates
Linebacker Fred Warner is the only San Francisco 49ers player selected for the prestigious Associated Press 2024 All-Pro Team, one of the NFL's most coveted honors. Warner earned a first-team All-Pro selection, while tight end George Kittle and fullback Kyle Juszczyk received... -
Roger Goodell says 18-game NFL season is next 'logical step'
It's no secret that the NFL's ultimate goal is to extend the regular season to 18 games per team. The league's move from a 16-game schedule to 17 games in 2021 was likely just a stepping stone toward this inevitable shift, designed to maximize revenue opportunities for the... -
49ers mailbag: Will Brock Purdy take a team-friendly deal? Who else will SF fire? What will the 49ers do with the number 11 pick?
It's January, and the San Francisco 49ers are at home watching the postseason. It's not what the team or the fans wanted, but there is hope that it could be the best thing for the players, giving them the time to rest, recover, and reset. For all we know, this time next year,... -
Over The Cap names 6 candidates as potential 49ers cap casualties
Salary cap resource OverTheCap.com recently published a list of 100 NFL players who might become cap casualties, with their teams potentially parting ways with them to free up salary space. The feature had the following six San Francisco 49ers players listed: DT Maliek...