Rookie Reuben Foster was carted off the field Sunday in the first quarter of his first NFL game with an ankle injury.
Foster was injured when his right leg got pinned underneath him was tackling Carolina Panthers running back Christian McCaffrey as he was getting blocked by Panthers left tackle Matt Kalil.
Foster was in significant pain and he remained on the ground. The 49ers’ medical staff rushed to Foster’s side and his teammates, including veteran linebacker NaVorro Bowman, surrounded him.
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Foster, the No. 31 overall pick, was off to a strong start through the first nine minutes of the game with three tackles and broke up a Cam Newton pass.
Shortly after he was taken to the locker room, the 49ers announced that Foster’s return to action was “questionable" due to a leg injury.
On the play immediately following Foster’s injury, 49ers safety Jaquiski Tartt surrendered a 40-yard touchdown pass from Cam Newton to Devin Funchess. The Panthers led 7-0 after one quarter.
Early in the second quarter, Foster walked from the locker room back to the 49ers sideline with a noticeable limp. He watched the second half from the sidelined, as the 49ers updated Foster's status as "out" with an ankle injury.
