Reuben

Foster

Foster was last seen in the USFL but could soon find himself on an NFL roster. The former first-round pick hasn’t played an NFL snap since 2018 and has 101 tackles and 10 TFLs to his name. Foster is a potential option to replace linebacker Jerome Baker, who suffered an MCL injury in Week 13’s win over the Commanders and is considered week-to-week. Foster wouldn’t be expected to see significant snaps anytime soon, even if the Dolphins do sign him.

The move becomes official on Saturday, ending Foster’s season before it started. Foster suffered a devastating knee injury in the summer of 2019. He tore multiple ligaments and suffered nerve damage among other complications. Foster will spend the 2020 season continuing his recovery. The former first-round pick will be 27 years old at the start of the 2021 season.

Foster is over a year removed from completely tearing his knee. He also had nerve damage in his foot. It’s a great sign he was activated this early into training camp, though his reps will likely be managed. NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo reports Foster is “on track” for Week 1. Similar to Jaylon Smith, it could be awhile before Foster regains his pre-injury form.

Foster can be activated at any time, but his health remains unclear after he suffered a shatteringly bad knee injury last May. Foster tore his ACL, MCL and LCL while suffering nerve damage. The 26-year-old could end up sitting out for the second straight season. Of Foster’s 16 career appearances, just six have come since his rookie campaign of 2017.

Foster played 16 games for the 49ers at a high level during the 2017-2018 seasons, but he’s struggled to stay on the field since. He’s racked up a two-game suspension from the 49ers and torn ACL since July 2018 and hasn’t played in a game for Washington. If healthy and back to pre-injury form, Foster should get a shot to start under coach Ron Rivera, though this is a new regime that may not want Foster’s baggage. Either way, declining his 2021 option was an easy call.

He suffered those injuries during practice last May. Foster’s agent Malki Kawa confirmed the linebacker’s nerve is “starting to fire up again” following months of numbness and not being able to lift his foot. Through use of stem cell therapy and a hyperbaric chamber, the 2017 first-rounder has made “significant improvement,” though there’s still no timetable for his return. Kawa is hopeful Foster will participate in some fashion during training camp but also acknowledged that the former Alabama standout has a “long way to go” in his recovery.

There was fear that Foster had additional damage in his knee, and this confirms it. The good news is it sounds like Foster didn’t suffer any artery damage, which was also part of the fear surrounding his injury. RapSheet adds that Foster is “already raising his leg” and expects to be ready for 2020.

Artery damage is what ended Zach Miller’s career in New Orleans back in 2017 when he shredded his knee while scoring a should-be touchdown. His leg literally had to be saved. Foster’s may not be at that extent, but artery damage is very concerning and could complicate his recovery. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport previously reported Foster has additional damage on top of his ACL tear.

This was what many believed happened when it was reported Foster went down on the practice field earlier Monday. He left the field “sobbing,” signaling he knew his season was over before it began. Claimed off waivers by the Redskins last November after the 49ers cut him due to various off-field issues, Foster has yet to play a game for Washington and will not do so anytime before 2020 at the earliest.

Per Garofolo, Foster’s injury “happened away from the play,” and it is believed he was “trying to avoid traffic and took a misstep.” It certainly sounds like the 25-year-old has suffered a season-ending injury.