Mystery solved, folks.
Well, sort of.
After much anticipation and uncertainty surrounding the health, and subsequent playing status, of USC defensive tackle Armond Armstead, there is some resolution to the matter. Multiple media outlets report that Armstead will redshirt the 2011 season and come back in 2012.
Coach Lane Kiffin said that he met with Armstead’s family, and that everyone involved concluded “the best thing is to redshirt him right now being this late in the season and having missed so much practice time and so much game time.”
Armstead has been a question mark since before the start of spring practice because of chest pains. Team doctors have yet to pinpoint what is wrong with Armstead and concern seemed to be mounting from both the senior and USC’s coaching staff.
Kiffin did not say if team doctors, who have ruled out that the condition is heart related, had cleared Armstead to play. The senior played in 12 games last season, recording 43 tackles and three sacks.
He is on track to graduate this December, but could come back to USC for a fifth year.