The Washington Redskins made a controversial move Tuesday, claiming former San Francisco 49ers linebacker Reuben Foster off waivers after he was cut by the San Francisco 49ers in the wake of a domestic violence arrest in Tampa over the weekend.
Foster was arrested Saturday at the team hotel and the next day, the 49ers announced they were moving on from the linebacker before the team’s game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Foster, 24, has had multiple run-ins with the law since being taken in the first round of the 2017 draft.
According to an arrest report from Hillsborough County Sheriff’s office, Reuben is accused of slapping a phone out of a woman’s hand, pushing her in the chest and then slapping her in the face with an open hand.
Foster was released from jail on Sunday after he posted bail.
“The Redskins fully understand the severity of the recent allegations made against Reuben,” Redskins executive Doug Williams said in a statement. “If true, you can be sure these allegations are nothing our organization would ever condone. Let me be clear, Reuben will have to go through numerous steps including the full legal process, an investigation and potential discipline from the NFL, as well as meetings with counselors associated with the team before he will ever have the opportunity to wear the Burgundy and Gold as a player.
“That being said, we decided to investigate the situation with Reuben further by claiming his rights after candid conversations with a number of his ex-Alabama teammates and current Redskins players who were overwhelmingly supportive of us taking this chance. Nothing is promised to Reuben, but we are hopeful being around so many of his former teammates and friends will eventually provide him with the best possible environment to succeed both personally and professionally.”
Following the news, the NFL placed Foster on the Commissioner Exempt list — meaning he cannot practice or attend games while the league reviews his latest arrest. Foster, though, can earn his salary and can participate in “individual workouts, therapy and rehabilitation and other permitted non-football activities” at the Redskins’ facility.
Foster has been arrested three times this year. In January, he was arrested for second-degree marijuana possession before the charge was eventually dismissed following the linebacker’s completion of a diversion course.
Foster has been arrested three times in 2018. In January, he was arrested for second-degree marijuana possession before the charge was eventually dismissed following the linebacker’s completion of a diversion course.
The next month, Foster was arrested in Los Gatos, California, after his ex-girlfriend accused him of striking her, leading him to be charged with multiple felonies for domestic violence, making criminal threats and weapons possession.
Two of those charges were later dismissed following the ex-girlfriend recanting her statements at trial. Foster pleaded no-contest to the weapons charge in June and was sentenced to two years’ probation, 232 hours of community service and $235 in fines.
The same woman accused Foster on Saturday.
49ers general manager John Lynch said Foster failed to “protect the team.”
“We laid out some very specific ground rules for Reuben, as we do for all our players,” Lynch said. “We had a set of standards in place that the players were involved in developing. In this case, it was communicated exceptionally clear and to the point of what was expected out of him. Unfortunately, what transpired yesterday, this wasn’t a comment on what happened there, because that would be mere speculation on our part. It’s more of a comment on him not living up to what we had communicated, to the energy and the time that we invested into him.”
Washington, according to multiple reports, was the only team to put a waiver claim on Foster.
Foster went to college at the University of Alabama and will be reunited with seven other Crimson Tide alums playing for the Redskins.
On defense, there’s safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, defensive linemen Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne, and linebackers Ryan Anderson and Shaun Dion Hamilton. On the other side of the ball, there’s offensive lineman Arie Kouandjio and wide receiver Cam Sims, both on injured reserve.
Foster has played well when healthy. He’s missed time because of shoulder and hamstring injuries, sitting out six games his rookie year.
Foster entered the draft with injury concerns and questions about his character. He failed a drug test at the scouting combine after he tested positive for a diluted sample and also reportedly got into a verbal altercation with a hospital worker. Once considered a top-10 pick, Foster was drafted 31st overall.
Foster was also suspended two games to start this season, stemming from his offseason arrests.
The Redskins have a history of taking a chance on players with legal troubles. In August, they signed Adrian Peterson, who pleaded no-contest in 2014 after being indicted for felony reckless or negligent injury to a child. Peterson allegedly used a switch to discipline his then 4-year-old son.
In 2016, Washington signed Junior Galette, who was arrested in 2015 on a charge of domestic violence, although the case was later dismissed.
• Matthew Paras can be reached at mparas@washingtontimes.com.
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