Ryquell

Armstead

Armstead was battling with rookie Snoop Conner for reserve duties in Jacksonville. He was waived by the Jaguars ahead of training camp last year, only to make his way back onto the roster for the final two weeks of the regular season. Armstead could draw some passing interest for other teams in need of extra depth at running back.

It was close to an even backfield split for the James Robinson-less Jags. Dare Ogunbowale had nine rushing attempts and both backs saw two targets. Ogunbowale scored a late touchdown in Jacksonville’s humiliating loss. Armstead’s involvement caps any kind of upside Ogunbowale might have had in the downtrodden Jacksonville offense.

That’s it; that’s the list. Armstead was just signed this week.

The Jaguars just won’t give up on Armstead. This is at least his third run with the team after originally being a fifth-round pick by Jacksonville in 2019. He takes the roster spot of Carlos Hyde (concussion) after he was placed on I.R.

New England also worked out Arvis Pierce, Dontrell Hilliard, and Ito Smith. They are in the market for a running back after James White suffered a hip injury that will sideline him indefinitely in Week 3. None of these guys are on the fantasy radar, but it could have an impact on the other Patriots running backs.

The Giants claimed Armstead off waivers after Jacksonville parted ways with him in the spring. He spent all of 2020 on the reserve/COVID-19 list. Armstead backed up Leonard Fournette in 2019, picking up 108 yards on 35 carries along the way. He was set to compete with Devontae Booker and Corey Clement for backup duties in New York. Armstead’s goal will now be to catch on with a new team in training camp. If he’s unable to make a roster this summer, his career outlook will become increasingly bleak.

Armstead missed all of 2020 while on the reserve/COVID-19 list. He backed up Leonard Fournette in 2019 and finished the year with 35 carries for 108 yards. Armstead will compete with Devontae Booker and Corey Clement, among other backup runners, for a roster spot.

Armstead, Jacksonville’s former fifth-round pick, was most recently forced to miss all of 2020 while on the team’s COVID list. Prior to that he hauled in 14 catches for 144 yards and two touchdowns as Leonard Fournette’s direct backup in 2019. 25 in October, it’s still possible Armstead receives a camp invite to gauge his health moving forward.

It’s a scary situation, one that’s landed him in the hospital twice already. Ruling him out this far in advance is ominous and a reminder of how the virus can affect even the best athletes. This is the biggest scare among NFL players to date. Armstead was placed on the COVID-19 list on August 2nd.

Armstead opened camp on the team’s reserve/COVID list, was eventually removed for a few practices, then returned for a second stint ahead of the regular season opener. With no timeline for his return, all of Devine Ozigbo, Chris Thompson, and James Robinson will work in a committee in the interim. Thompson remains the likeliest candidate to offer immediate value in negative game scripts in Week 1, whereas Ozigbo is a safe bet to lead the team in carries. Armstead can be universally dropped across re-draft leagues.