Jaguars HC Doug Pederson shares encouraging update about Arik Armstead's return

The Jacksonville Jaguars signed Arik Armstead in free agency because their defensive line was in dire need of reinforcements. So far, they haven't gotten a return on their investment because the veteran has spent the offseason recovering from meniscus surgery. That's about to change, with head coach Doug Pederson providing an update on his recovery and his potential availability for the regular season.

Pederson met with the local media before Day 11 of training camp and said that Armstead won't be ready for the preseason opener against the Kansas City Chiefs but is close to returning. "Not for the game, but we're getting close. We're getting close," said the head coach. Here's his full exchange with the beat. His remarks about the veteran defensive lineman are near the end.

The Jags placed Armstead on the Physically Unable to Perform list to start training camp. Based on Pederson's comments, he won't play against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 1 of the preseason. But as long as he's ready for the opener against the Miami Dolphins, it won't matter if the former Oregon Duck is back next week or the one afterward.

A first-round pick in 2015, Armstead spent his first nine seasons with the San Francisco 49ers. Even though he's never gotten a Pro Bowl selection, he's routinely been among the top interior defenders in the NFL. Despite playing through injuries in 2023, he managed to log five sacks in the regular season and later brought Patrick Mahomes down in Super Bowl 58.

But precisely because of injuries, Armstead was seen as expendable in the Bay Area. Even though he's been relatively healthy throughout his career, injuries forced him to sit out a combined 13 contests the past two years.

The Niners asked him to take a pay cut, and he refused. They released him in free agency but the Jaguars quickly swooped in and signed him to a three-year $43.5 million deal even though he was going to rehab in the offseason.

Jaguars DC Ryan Nielsen will soon get a chess piece in Arik Armstead

Pederson had previously said that they weren't going to rush Armstead but he wasn't overly worried. He's right. Why rush him when there's no need? He's not a rookie looking to find his footing in the NFL but rather a grizzled veteran who has virtually seen it all. If the Jacksonville Jaguars want to make a deep playoff push they'll need him to be 100 percent.

Defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen's arrival in Jacksonville has rightly garnered rave reviews. Part of the reason is that he'll get to work with a highly talented core of players. Armstead will be one of them, and his teammates will also reap the benefits of his presence.

Last year, bookend pass rushers Travon Walker and Josh Hines-Allen had a combined 27.5 sacks between the two. Imagine how much more productive they can be with Arik Armstead drawing coverage in the interior trenches.

Ultimately, the Jacksonville Jaguars' patience will pay off. They knew they were getting a game-changer in Arik Armstead and they'll soon get to see how much of a difference he'll make in 2024. ºº

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