After being released by the 49ers on November 25, Reuben Foster was claimed on waivers on November 27 by Washington. He’ll join Zach Brown and Mason Foster as the team’s inside linebackers. The charges in Foster’s case were dropped and Foster was fined two game checks after being let go from the Commissioner’s Exempt list. Foster is eligible to join Washington for all football activities immediately.
Reuben Foster picked up by Washington after being released by 49ers following domestic violence arrest
The latest arrest is one of several for the linebacker.
James Dator has been covering a wide range of sports for SB Nation for over a decade, with a special focus on the NFL.
Why was Foster released by the 49ers?
The San Francisco 49ers announced on November 25th that the team would release the linebacker after he was arrested and charged with domestic violence while in Tampa Bay, Fla. with the team.
It was Foster’s third arrest of 2018.
Police describe the incident took place with a woman Foster was “in an on-again-off-again relationship over the past three years.” Police say that Foster and the woman were involved in a verbal altercation on the night of November 24th, which escalated when Foster slapped a phone out of the woman’s hand, before pushing her and slapping her.
Responding officers observed a scratch on the victim’s collarbone when they arrived to the scene at the Grand Hyatt hotel in Tampa Bay, according to a report from the San Francisco Chronicle.
Foster’s release follows several incidents dating back to before and since the team drafted him in 2017.
- During the 2017 NFL combine Foster allegedly submitted a diluted urine sample, which triggered a positive test. Subsequently he was kicked out of the combine when he had an altercation with a hospital employee.
- In January of 2018 Foster was arrested in Alabama for misdemeanor possession of marijuana.
- Foster was arrested in February on suspicion of domestic violence and possession of an assault weapon when police responded to his home. Domestic violence charges were dropped in May of 2018 after the victim recanted her allegations that Foster hit her.
Foster was charged with one count of first-degree misdemeanor domestic-violence battery. His ex-girlfriend, Elissa Ennis, shared her message about her experiences with Foster back in early December.
Why was Foster claimed by Washington?
The linebacker was a first-round pick in 2017 and a tackling machine when he stayed out of trouble long enough to suit up for the 49ers. So it wasn’t particularly surprising that Foster got scooped up quickly, given the NFL’s long and torrid history of enabling domestic abusers.
In a statement on November 27th, the team’s senior vice president of player personnel explained the decision to claim Foster:
Much of the team’s reasoning for the acquisition revolved around Foster’s former teammates vouching on his behalf, as well as the idea that those player could help Foster straighten himself out.
But none of the four Alabama players on the team was willing to confirm that they spoke to team executives about Foster.
According to the Washington Post, the team’s decision-makers were “far from unanimous” about claiming Foster. The decision was “masterminded” by team president Bruce Allen, who has been, so far, unwilling to speak to the media about Foster.
Head coach Jay Gruden spoke to the media on November 28th and said nobody should expect to see Foster play for Washington any time soon:
The NFL’s domestic violence policy was revamped in 2014 with a six-game suspension for first-time offenders and a lifetime ban for a second offense. Foster was suspended two games in May for marijuana and drug charges after his accuser recanted in court and his domestic violence charges were dropped.
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