“He’s a really good person who’s totally into it,” Nielsen said. “You get that whole experience. It’s priceless. He was totally into it. I really can’t say enough good things about him.”
Jaguars defensive end Josh Hines-Allen also praised Armstead’s approach after 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 up opportunities for us,” Hines-Allen said. “He’s a guy that can win one-on-one. He’s a guy you have to focus on. So if you’re going to compete with him or against him, he’s going to do what he does. And he wins at a very high level, too. And I can’t wait to get out there with him.”
And although Armstead hasn’t practiced with his new team yet, he’s 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 had a real chance to win the Super Bowl. We have all the tools to do it, and I’m excited to get out there and be part of that journey and the process that takes us there.”
“We have a fantastic team and I love what we do defensively. We have an opportunity now to do something special with this group we have.”
NOTEWORTHY MOMENTS FROM JAGUARS TRAINING CAMP – DAY 16
Hines-Allen on Wednesday praised rookie defensive tackle Maason Smith, who has shown flashes at times during 2024 training camp. Smith, a second-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, played 21 games in the Jaguars’ 26-13 Week 1 preseason win over the Kansas City Chiefs at EverBank Stadium on Saturday. “He’s got that ‘it’ factor,” Allen said. “He’s a dog. He really is one of those. And once he gets his act together, he’s got all the agility in the world, but he also has the strength to pull someone back. And he’s smart. He can play. He can run. He’s physical. He has all the tools to be someone I like to rush with.”
QUOTE MOMENTS FROM JAGUARS TRAINING CAMP – DAY 16
Nielsen on Walker: “He has all the skills you need to be a very successful player in this league. He understands the game. We’re letting him play a little more on the turf, further up the field. I think that’s going to help him weaken the defense in the run game. When you turn on the video, he’s like, ‘Wow!’ You didn’t see that in practice, but you see it on the video and you’re like, ‘Man, he made that play?’ That’s the same with this player.”
