JACKSONVILLE – He's one step closer, and it's a big step for Arik Armstead.
That made the veteran defensive end the Jaguars' news of the day Wednesday, even though he didn't practice against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
"I'm feeling great; I'm getting better and better each day," he said.
Armstead, who spent his first nine NFL seasons with the San Francisco 49ers, was signed by the Jaguars as free agent in March. He was on the physically unable to perform list because of a knee injury sustained late last season until the Jaguars activated him Tuesday.
"He's been around," Jaguars defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen said before Day 16 2024 Training Camp practice against the Buccaneers at the Miller Electric Center Wednesday. "Give the guy a lot of credit, he's been around a lot of time just doing everything he can to get back. He has been helping our young players a lot, so it's been good to see."
Armstead remained in an acclimation period Wednesday and isn't expected to play in a Preseason Week 2 game against the Buccaneers at EverBank Stadium Saturday.
"I'm just going with the process that they have for me," Armstead said. "I'm going to continue with the plan and get myself ready in a position to be out there to help my team win. So that's what I'm doing currently."
Armstead said his objective is to play in the regular-season opener at Miami.
"Definitely, Week 1 is the goal for me," he said. "My goal is always to be there to help my team win games. But I'm going to continue to take it day-by-day and continue with the plan that they have for me. I'm feeling good, everything is trending very positively. So that's amazing. I definitely want to be out there as much as possible, but I'm going to continue to stick with the plan that they have for me. As long as I'm feeling good, I'm ready to go."
Nielsen called Armstead "an awesome guy" and a "football guy."
"He's a really good person, really into it," Nielsen said "You get that whole experience. It's invaluable. He's been all locked in. Couldn't say enough good things about him, really."
Jaguars defensive end Josh Hines-Allen, too, praised Armstead's approach while returning from injury – and said Armstead's presence should help a defensive front seven that includes Allen (17.5 sacks in 2023) and third-year end Travon Walker (10 sacks in 2023).
"He opens things up for us," Hines-Allen said. "He's a guy that can win a one-on-one. He's a guy that you have to focus on. So, if you're rushing with him or rushing against him, he's going to do what he does. And he wins at a very high level as well. And I can't wait to get out there with him."
And while Armstead has yet to practice with his new team, he is optimistic about what the Jaguars can accomplish in 2024.
"We have a talented group," he said. "I wouldn't have come here if I didn't feel like I was coming to a team that has a real opportunity to win a Super Bowl. We have all the pieces to get it done, and I'm excited to get out there and be a part of that journey and that process of getting there.
"We have an amazing team, and I love what we're doing defensively. We have an opportunity now to do something special with this group that we have."
NOTABLE MOMENTS FROM JAGUARS TRAINING CAMP - DAY 16
Hines-Allen on Wednesday praised rookie defensive tackle Maason Smith, who has flashed at times during '24 camp. Smith, a second-round selection in the 2024 NFL Draft, played 21 plays in the Jaguars' 26-13 Preseason Week 1 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs at EverBank Stadium Saturday. "He has that 'it' factor," Allen said. "He's a dog. He's a legit one of those ones. And once he puts it together, he has all the wiggle in the world, but he also has the power to pull somebody back. And he's smart. He can play. He can run. He's physical. He has all the tools to be someone that I love to rush with."
QUOTABLE MOMENTS FROM JAGUARS TRAINING CAMP - DAY 16
Nielsen on Walker: "He has everything you need in terms of a skill set to be a very successful player in this league. He understands the game. We're playing him a little bit more hand in the grass, up the field. I think that's going to help him in terms of setting the edge of the defense in the run game You turn on the tape, he's like, 'Wow!' You didn't see that in practice, and you see it in the tape, and you're like, 'Man, he made that play?' There's that element to the player too."
