Santa Clara – Former 49ers first-round pick Arik Armstead got hammered on social media for not continuing to play with a cast on his shattered left hand. Fans also openly questioned whether Armstead was a bust after possibly ending his second straight season on injured reserve.
Defensive coordinator Robert Saleh debunked both theories. Saleh and Armstead both said doctors wouldn’t allow him to play because the location of the break makes a club hand impractical.
“Arik Armstead who for the last two weeks had been playing some very, very good football, he really was. I’m really hurting for him, I’m not going to lie to you,” Saleh said. Armstead is eligible to possibly come back for the last two games of the season if the injury heals. Saleh also took issue with anyone questioning Armstead’s toughness.
“Arik played a quarter and a half with that broken hand,” Saleh said. “He’s a tough son of a b. … I will never question that man’s toughness.”
Armstead was part of a defensive line that got pressure on 40 percent of their snaps before the last game, which was fourth best in the league according to profootballfocus.com. Armstead was also likely to benefit from the double teams drawn by DeForest Buckner. But a las, his development will have to wait.
“If he could play with one hand, he’ll play with one hand,” Saleh remarked. “It’s just unfortunate the injury, the location of where it was. But, he did play a quarter and a half with it and he actually dominated the man in front of him. It’s just an unlucky break on his part.”