The San Francisco 49ers were hoping to get a good look at defensive end Arik Armstead during training camp. The fourth-year player managed to take part in just four practices before a hamstring injury sidelined him.
To fans, an Armstead injury isn't a big surprise. He is coming off a shortened 2017 season that saw him break his hand during a Week 6 matchup against the Washington Redskins and land on injured reserve. Armstead's 2016 campaign also ended on injured reserve. He played in just eight games with four starts before a nagging shoulder injury and surgery finished that season.
The 49ers went out and picked up a defensive lineman, Jullian Taylor, in the seventh round of the draft. The rookie has received a significant amount of practice reps in Armstead's absence and started last Thursday's exhibition opener against the Dallas Cowboys. Taylor played 32 snaps in the game, which was second among defensive linemen to Ronald Blair's 39.
Could the emergence of Taylor push Armstead down the depth chart? Brad Almquist of KNBR joined the latest 49ers Webzone No Huddle Podcast and discussed the topic.
"The fact that every single day that [Armstead] misses, Jullian Taylor is getting that much more opportunity," Almquist tells Al Sacco. "Jullian Taylor has been one of the positive breakthroughs of camp, for sure, and I think everyone saw that in the first preseason game. This could end up being one Lynch and Shanahan's — I don't know if you want to call it a defining pick — but it's another testament to their late-round success.
"This guy played 15 college games, didn't pick up football until his high school senior year. This guy is ridiculously raw still and (defensive coordinator Robert) Saleh still talks about that. He's got work to do on his hand placement, this and that. But he's so strong and physical. He gets really good leverage.
"And DeForest Buckner, a couple of weeks ago, said he just bullies people. That's a pretty big compliment for a rookie, especially a seventh rounder. I don't see why he couldn't be that starting big end because Arik Armstead has not really shown that he can stay on the field long enough."
Almquist goes on to say that once Armstead does return, the battle for that end spot may become an open competition.
You can listen to the entire interview with Almquist, which includes his breakdown of the 49ers' win against the Cowboys and thoughts on the injuries that have plagued the team, below.
Sacco is joined by guest co-host Peter Panacy to break down the latest 49ers news, roster battles, the addition of running back Alfred Morris, and a discussion on the value of defensive back Jimmie Ward.
You can listen to the latest No Huddle Podcast episode below, from our dedicated podcast page, on iTunes, Google Play, or SoundCloud.