San Francisco 49ers defensive lineman Arik Armstead has not played since Week 13 due to foot and knee injuries, but it looks like he could be returning for the playoffs.

Armstead returned to the practice field on Thursday, a sign that he is trending toward returning when the 49ers play in the Divisional Round in two weeks, via Josh Alper of Pro Football Talk.

San Francisco finished with the best record in the NFC, earning a first-round bye. That has provided Armstead with some more time to get healthy.

One thing is for sure: the Niners definitely need Armstead back in the fold.

In 12 games this season, the 30-year-old logged 27 tackles and five sacks. While those numbers may not look incredibly impressive, there is no question that Armstead is one of the 49ers’ defensive anchors.

Armstead, who played his collegiate football at the University of Oregon, was selected by San Francisco with the 17th overall pick of the 2015 NFL Draft.

He succumbed to injuries in two of his first three seasons, playing in just 30 games in total between 2015 and 2017. After posting 48 tackles and three sacks in 2018, Armstead proceeded to break out the following year, racking up 54 tackles, 10 sacks, a couple of forced fumbles and a fumble recovery.

Since then, Armstead has established himself as one of the better interior defensive linemen in football and was one of the primary reasons why the Niners finished third in the NFL in run defense this season.

The 49ers are the favorites to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl this year, and much of that is thanks to their fierce defense. It will become that much fiercer if and when Armstead returns.

San Francisco made the NFC Championship Game each of the last two seasons, falling to the Los Angeles Rams two years ago and then the Philadelphia Eagles last winter.

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