Is Jaguars DE Arik Armstead playing vs. the Buccaneers in Week 2 of the preseason?

Defensive tackle Arik Armstead was arguably the biggest signing the Jacksonville Jaguars made in free agency. A first-round pick by the San Francisco 49ers in 2015, the former Oregon Duck will provide a massive boost in the interior of the defensive trenches.

If you didn't hear much of Armstead during the offseason, it was because he was recovering from a surgery he underwent to repair his meniscus. But he's now getting close to returning, having been activated from the Physically Unable to Perform list.

Armstead missed the first preseason game of the year, but head coach Doug Pederson doesn't sound overly concerned about him missing time, pointing out that he's a grizzled veteran.

All things considered, the Jaguars are taking the right approach with Armstead. Why press him into action before he's back at full strength? They're better off letting him recover and giving playing time to the younger players during his absence.

For his part, Armstead says that he'll be ready at the proper time. Moreover, he'll stick to whatever plan the team has for him.

"I'm just going with the process that they have for me. I'm feeling great," Armstead told the local beat after a joint practice with the Buccaneers. "I'm getting better and better each day, so [I'm] gonna continue with the plan, get myself ready in a position to be out there to help my team win. So that's what I'm doing currently."

This begs the question, will Armstead suit up when the Jags welcome Tampa Bay at EverBank Stadium?

Arik Armstead won't suit up for the Jaguars in Week 2 of the preseason

As noted before, head coach Doug Pederson told the media that he isn't in a rush to plug Arik Armstead into the football field. Even though he's left the Physically Unable to Perform list, he didn't practice against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

It will be interesting to see if Armstead gets playing time against the Atlanta Falcons in the preseason finale. For the time being, he's making the most of his time, mentoring his younger teammates.

"It's a new experience for me. I was in one place for nine years, so this is a new experience for me," Armstead told the media. "Navigating that of being new, but also having the respect and trying to be a leader and help people with the knowledge that I have, it's been a great experience for me. I feel like getting me out of my comfort zone. It's been amazing."

"We have a lot of great teammates. I'm excited too, I was excited to help them in as many ways as I can. Now, I'm excited to get back on the field and help them on the field and kind of learn more by example as well."

Whether Arik Armstead suits up for the Jaguars in the preseason finale remains to be seen, but based on the comments Pederson made, his absence against the Bucs won't be a cause for concern.

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