After being released by the San Francisco 49ers last weekend while in jail for a domestic violence arrest, linebacker Reuben Foster has been claimed on waivers by the Washington Redskins.
Former 49ers’ LB Reuben Foster was claimed by the Washington Redskins, per source.
Now the question becomes whether or when the league will suspend him.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 27, 2018
Given Foster’s situation, the possibility remains that the 24-year-old will be suspended. But as of right now, he’ll be eligible to play immediately for his new team. However, the situation – and Foster’s history – the move has received criticism from some in the NFL media.
Reuben Foster has been arrested three times in 2018 and was suspended for two games to begin the NFL season.
Less than 72 hours after being arrested on domestic violence charges and waived, a team claimed him on waivers, possibly to have him play right away.
Give me a break.
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) November 27, 2018
For their part, the Washington Redskins released a statement via Doug Williams, their Senior Vice President of Player Personnel on the team’s social media pages:
A statement from the Washington Redskins Senior Vice President of Player Personnel Doug Williams: pic.twitter.com/zdxA8hmWtb
— Washington Redskins (@Redskins) November 27, 2018
Foster has been arrested several times yet has only been suspended once by the league. And that was two games for violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy, not for any of the multiple domestic abuse allegations made against him.
The Alabama-product was the 31st pick by San Francisco in the 2017 NFL Draft. He appeared 16 total games for the 49ers. Despite playing in only 10 games as a rookie, he was selected to the NFL’s All-Rookie team. The linebacker contributed 101 tackles while in a San Francisco uniform.
From the second Reuben Foster entered the league, the talent was obvious. And while he’s not out of the woods as far as the most recent allegation goes in terms of a possible suspension, finding a new team was a huge step. Because many thought he’d be out of the league for some time. This move has to make one wonder though: when it comes to the NFL, is there any limit to the amount of wrongdoing that talent can’t make up for? Or will teams keep lining up to sign players with similar checkered pasts?
