Former 49er Arik Armstead Talks NFL Injury Risk Mitigation

Armstead, now with the Jaguars, discussed player safety initiatives at the Super Bowl Innovation Summit.

Published on Feb. 7, 2026

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Former San Francisco 49ers defensive tackle Arik Armstead spoke at the Super Bowl LX Innovation Summit about efforts to reduce injury risk in the NFL, including changes to kickoff rules and the league's new facemask innovation competition. Armstead acknowledged the inherent dangers of the sport but believes data and player input can help mitigate risks.

Why it matters

As the NFL continues to grapple with player safety concerns, Armstead's perspective as a veteran player provides insight into the league's initiatives and the challenges of balancing player protection with the physical demands of the game.

The details

Armstead recalled his experience playing on special teams as a rookie, where he had to hold a teammate's hand as 11 opposing players raced toward them at full speed. He was relieved to focus solely on the defensive line in his second season. Armstead discussed the NFL's recent kickoff rule changes, which have reduced the concussion rate for that play. He believes a combination of data and player feedback is key to improving safety. The league also announced a new facemask innovation competition to develop cutting-edge helmet technology.

  • Armstead played for the 49ers from 2015 to 2024.
  • The Super Bowl LX Innovation Summit took place on February 7, 2026.

The players

Arik Armstead

A former defensive tackle for the San Francisco 49ers who now plays for the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Roger Goodell

The Commissioner of the National Football League.

Jed York

The owner of the San Francisco 49ers.

Julie Souza

An executive at Amazon Web Services.

Eric Taylor

An executive at Nike.

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What they’re saying

“Those special-teams guys are crazy,”

— Arik Armstead (sfchronicle.com)

“I think you can mitigate it. You have to rely on data and also how players feel. It can't be all data-driven.”

— Arik Armstead (sfchronicle.com)

“Players have to feel safe, feel what the data is saying, and believe in it. I think data can help with some misconceptions, but there's also the reality sometimes of how players feel — like playing on turf and different things.”

— Arik Armstead (sfchronicle.com)

“That's the next place to go, right? That's a big piece of the helmet — it's not just the crown.”

— Arik Armstead (sfchronicle.com)

“You have to deliver safety to them in a way they want to receive it.”

— Eric Taylor, Nike executive (sfchronicle.com)

What’s next

The NFL will announce the winners of the facemask innovation competition in the coming months.

The takeaway

Armstead's comments highlight the NFL's ongoing efforts to balance player safety with the inherent physicality of the sport, emphasizing the need for data-driven solutions that also address players' concerns and perceptions.