Armond

Armstead

Armstead missed the 2011 season at USC after a heart attack, and went undrafted. He played in the CFL last year and registered six sacks at 6-foot-5 and 298 pounds. Multiple front office men believe Armstead, 22, would have been a third-round pick were his heart healthy. He’ll be a situational pass rusher inside.

It’s a strong sign the Patriots expect the former USC Trojan to crack their 53-man roster in 2013. Just 22 years old, Armstead spent 2012 in the CFL after suffering a heart attack and missing USC’s 2011 season. At 6-foot-5, 290 pounds, Armstead was a two-year starter for the Trojans before his health scare. He has experience at both tackle and end.

Armstead worked out for several teams over the last week or so, including the Colts and Eagles. Armstead was forced to the CFL in 2012 after missing the 2011 season at USC after suffering a heart attack. Armstead, listed at 6-foot-5 and 298 pounds, recorded six sacks last season as the Argonauts won the Grey Cup. ESPN’s Adam Schefter called him “the equivalent of a high draft pick.”

A third front-office man believes the 22-year-old CFL product would have been a third- or fourth-round pick. “He flashed a lot,” a personnel executive said. “His hand use was good. I’m not sure he’s Cameron Wake, but he can be a solid NFL player.” Armstead will likely be a situational player as he adjusts to the NFL game in 2013, but it’s clear the Pats made the top reserve/future signing of the offseason.

Armstead went to Canada to prove he was healthy after suffering a heart attack and missing the 2011 season with the Trojans. He recorded six sacks in 2012 while helping the Argonauts win the Grey Cup. ESPN’s Adam Schefter calls Armstead “the equivalent of a high draft pick.” Expect more teams to get in involved in the pursuit of a potential impact defender.

Armstead was an emerging player at USC before suffering a heart attack in 2011. “We don’t often in our league get NFL first round (draft picks),” Barker said. “He would have been a low first, early second.” Barker also confirmed Armstead’s heart has “checked out.” The Pats may have gotten a reserve/future steal in Armstead, who’s only 22 years old and dominated in the CFL.

Armstead has been dealing with a non-football illness related to surgery he underwent to treat an infection. No other details are known. The Pats will hold out hope Armstead is able to contribute by midseason or late in the year.

Armstead spent his entire 2013 rookie season on reserve/NFI before calling it quits last summer. He suffered his first heart attack while in college at USC and blames it on the prescription painkiller Toradol. Armstead is now suing the university for giving him the painkiller. Trial is scheduled to start next week.

Armstead originally signed with the Patriots in February 2013, but landed on the reserve/NFI list for his entire rookie season after battling an infection. He suffered a heart attack while playing college ball at USC, which he blamed on the prescription pain killer Toradol. Armstead went undrafted in 2012 after a standout, 24-start college career surely because of health concerns. He played for the CFL’s Toronto Argonauts for one season and compiled 43 tackles and six sacks en route to a Grey Cup championship. Armstead will be 24 in August.

Armstead was expected to be the Patriots’ third defensive tackle in 2013, but missed the entire year due to a mysterious infection. The talented interior pass rusher also sat out his 2011 season at USC following a heart attack. If healthy, Armstead has a chance for a real role in sub-packages this season.