49ers may cut Reuben Foster pending outcome of legal process
Reuben Foster will not be allowed to participate in offseason workouts after the 49ers linebacker was charged with three felonies, including domestic violence.
The future of second-year linebacker Reuben Foster with the San Francisco 49ers is very much in jeopardy. Foster was arrested in February and was later charged last weekend with three felonies, including domestic violence after he reportedly punched his live-in girlfriend eight-10 times and left her with a ruptured eardrum.
Foster was also in possession of a large-capacity weapon magazine after police found a Sig Sauer 516 and a large-capacity magazine. Both are illegal to have in California. If convicted of all charges, Foster could face up to 11 years in prison.
That would certainly put an end to his NFL career.
While his legal situation plays out, the 49ers will not allow the former Alabama standout to participate in the team’s offseason workouts, according to ESPN NFL reporter Nick Wagoner.
"“Reuben Foster will not participate in team activities as he is tending to his legal matters. As previously stated, his future with the team will be determined by the information revealed during the legal process., the statement from the 49ers read”"
This is the right move by the 49ers to keep Foster as far away from the football team and facility as possible. They don’t need the distraction of having Foster on hand for these workouts. More importantly, it sends a terrible message to allow him to get back to work after he’s been charged with these crimes.
The domestic violence incident could be enough to end his time with the 49ers after one promising season. That’s how serious this should be and is being received by the team.
Full statement from #49ers: "Reuben Foster will not participate in team activities as he is tending to his legal matters. As previously stated, his future with the team will be determined by the information revealed during the legal process."
— Nick Wagoner (@nwagoner) April 15, 2018
Foster’s future with the 49ers hinges on the outcome of his legal trouble. Even if he’s cleared of all charges or the charges are dropped, his reputation has already been forever tarnished and the team may elect to move on from and wipe their hands clean of this situation.
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The 49ers should have learned by now how to handle these things after Ray McDonald and Aldon Smith legal troubles in recent years.