Given the Chargers’ performance in the last seven games, which included six losses and one historic 63-21 thrashing, some ramifications were likely. However, the release of Sebastian Joseph-Day, a club captain and 14-game starter on the defensive line, was described as a “shock move” by the Chargers’ SB Nation website. And, as is customary in such situations, there are 49ers speculations circulating that he could be acquired by the team.
According to coach Kyle Shanahan, the 49ers have injury worries in the defensive interior, most notably with Arik Armstead, who has a foot ailment as well as a knee problem. He will miss this week’s game against the Ravens on Monday. Javon Hargrave is doubtful due to a hamstring problem.
Of course, bringing in a new player at this time in the season is difficult, and any new roster move would have to result in the release of another player. However, the 49ers are in Super Bowl mentality and cannot afford to be derailed by injuries.
Signing Joseph-Day would be a good insurance measure, especially since the NFC rival Cowboys are also interested in him. According to CBS Sports.com, the 49ers are being considered as a “landing spot” for Joseph-Day.
Sebastian Joseph-Day Could Have Alternatives
CBS has only three prospective suitors for Joseph-Day: the Cowboys, the 49ers, and the Browns in the AFC. However, there could be more, most notably Jacksonville, Kansas City, and Buffalo, all playoff teams in need of defensive reinforcements. He might possibly rejoin his former team, the Rams. Before signing a three-year, $24 million contract with the Chargers, Joseph-Day spent his first three NFL seasons with the Rams, where he helped them win the Super Bowl in 2021.
If Joseph-Day returns to the NFL this season, he’ll have to choose between a deep run into the postseason with a team like the 49ers and a chance to play a lot with a team like the Jaguars or Browns.
Here’s what CBS’s Garrett Podell had to say about the Joseph-Day rumors:
“There may be no team better positioned to win the Super Bowl than the 11-3 San Francisco 49ers this season.” Sebastian Joseph-Day is a Super Bowl winner, and with starting defensive lineman Javon Hargrave out with a hamstring strain in the team’s Week 15 game against the Arizona Cardinals, he might be a nice depth addition for the 49ers front.”
San Francisco 49ers Rumors: The team is ‘concerned’ about Armstead’s injury.
That ignores the 49ers’ bigger problem, which is Arik Armstead’s injury. Armstead is dealing with a foot condition identical to the one he had last year, when he missed a game due to plantar fasciitis. He returned for the playoffs, however, and played 36, 37, and 54 snaps in the 49ers’ three postseason games.
Armstead will miss his third consecutive game against the Ravens on Monday night. He also has a knee ailment, according to Kyle Shanahan, but the foot is more serious.
Armstead is a world-class interior lineman. He has a Pro Football Focus grade of 81.9, which ranks him 10th among the NFL’s 130 qualifying defensive lineman. Armstead is third on the team in sacks (5.0) and second in QB hits (13).
He and Hargrave were both sidelined against Arizona in Week 15, and the Cardinals took advantage with 234 rushing yards. This isn’t solely the fault of the defensive line, but it is cause for concern.
“Yes, we’re concerned,” Shanahan admitted on Friday. “We believe he has a chance each week, but I’d say it’s more about the foot than the knee.” Something that has worried him for a while. I’m simply hope the agony goes away.”
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