49ers draft pick Reuben Foster’s offseason shoulder surgery reportedly ‘didn’t take’

When Alabama linebacker Reuben Foster dropped from a potential top 10 pick all the way to the tail end of the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft, it appeared his failed drug test and hasty ejection from the Combine were to blame. Instead, the real culprit may be a bum shoulder.

Foster had surgery to repair a torn rotator cuff after Alabama’s season came to a close. However, reports suggest the procedure “didn’t take,” which may force the dynamic defender to go under the knife in the near future to correct it. Standard rotator cuff repairs can take between four to six months to fully recover from, a timeline that could put the first half of Foster’s rookie season in jeopardy.

The 49ers, who traded up into the first round to select Foster with the 31st overall pick, aren’t outwardly concerned about their prospect’s future. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported the franchise is “hopeful” he’ll be able to play in 2017.

Foster was similarly optimistic. At the press conference welcoming him to San Francisco, he told attendees he expects to be ready by the beginning of the regular season.

“I’m making good progress,” Foster said. “I’ll be limited in OTAs. In training camp, I’ll be a full go. If it’s my decision, I think I can go now.”

However, another NFL source told Schefter the troublesome shoulder “could give out on any hit” and gave the rookie long odds of making it through his freshman campaign.

If Foster undergoes a second surgery and the rebuilding 49ers have to wait, it wouldn’t devastate their 2017. San Francisco’s depleted roster limped to a 2-14 finish last fall while allowing more yards per game than any team in the league. Though the addition of players like No. 3 overall pick Solomon Thomas and free agent linebacker Malcolm Smith will help, the franchise still appears a few years from contention.

Foster looked like a steal at the No. 31 pick, but it turns out his baggage may go beyond his documented character issues. While the 49ers may not be concerned about his shoulder issues, that injury helped convince 27 other teams to steer clear of the talented linebacker at the NFL Draft. GM John Lynch’s gamble looked like a smart one on draft night, but Foster’s bum shoulder could dull the shine of an otherwise sparkling NFL draft debut for the first-year executive.