The San Francisco 49ers are holding two practices this week during their first-round bye in the NFC playoffs, and their first provided them with a sight for sore eyes.

Defensive tackle Arik Armstead has missed the last five games because of knee and foot injuries.

However, he was among those players seen on the field during the portion of practice open to the media.

Head coach Kyle Shanahan had said on Tuesday that they anticipated Armstead's return, indicating the 2015 first-round pick would have played in the Week 18 game with the Los Angeles Rams had the 49ers needed it for seeding purposes.

Prior to his injury, Armstead was enjoying his best season since the 49ers' Super Bowl run of 2019. He ended the season ranked seventh in Pro Football Focus pass rush grade among interior defensive linemen.

But Armstead was arguably more important to the 49er run defense. Over the final five weeks of the campaign, the 49ers ranked 27th in Expected Points Added per play in run defense and 24th in Success Rate without him.

His prospective comeback for the Divisional Round puts the defense in a much better position to succeed in the postseason, and Steve Wilks' unit is also much healthier in the secondary after safety Ji'Ayir Brown (knee) and cornerback Ambry Thomas (hand/knee) also returned to practice, the latter having undergone surgery on his hand injury. 

Fellow safety and core special teamer George Odum, whose practice window was opened on Wednesday, was seen wearing a blue non-contact jersey. Odum suffered a torn bicep in the Thanksgiving win over the Seahawks.

On the offensive side, Jauan Jennings was back in practice after missing three games with a concussion. He came out of the protocol this week.

Christian McCaffrey was not seen at the start of the practice, with Shanahan stating earlier this week he would sit out as the star running back rehabs a minor calf injury.

Also missing were linebacker Dre Greenlaw (ankle tendinitis), safety Tashaun Gipson (quad) and guard Jon Feliciano (back).

Left tackle Trent Williams and star edge rusher Nick Bosa were both in practice. Williams would usually have a rest day on a Wednesday in a normal week of practice.

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