The Washington Redskins were on the receiving end of some bad news today, as it appears that linebacker Reuben Foster suffered a torn left ACL in addition to other ailments during the team’s opening day of organized team activities.
Sources: #Redskins LB Reuben Foster is believed to have suffered a torn ACL, plus additional damage. The injury has been described as major and significant. He’s seeing specialists to determine the full extent. But a brutal situation for Washington.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) May 20, 2019
Foster, who was selected in the first round of the 2017 draft by the 49ers, made his way to the Redskins via a waiver claim this offseason. Foster has had some personal issues in the form of legal matters over the past year-plus.
In January of 2018, Foster was arrested in Alabama for possession of marijuana and was released after posting a $2,500 bond. Less than a month later, he was arrested again, this time on suspicion of domestic violence, threats, and assault weapon possession charges.
The troubles continued two months later when Foster was charged with felony counts of multiple domestic violence, possession of a weapon, and infliction of bodily harm. Within two weeks, Foster’s girlfriend made a statement through her lawyer saying “[Foster] did not strike her, injure her or threaten her,” and that the domestic violence claims were only made after Foster had attempted to end the relationship after she told him her injuries resulted from a fight with another woman.
But Foster would not be in the clear for long. Just over six months later, Foster was arrested again on probable cause misdemeanor domestic violence charges and was released by the 49ers the following day.
In January 2019, by the time Foster was a member of the Redskins organization but was still on the commissioner’s exempt list, the State Attorney’s Office in Florida dropped the charges, claiming that there was insufficient evidence against Foster after reviewing the case. Foster did not find himself off the exempt list until April.
Just when it seemed Foster was finally able to play football again, today’s news ends any speculation that Foster will hit the field in 2019. Barring a miracle, Foster’s injury will be confirmed as a torn ACL and the linebacker’s season will be done on the same day it started.
Speaking to the media following the conclusion of today’s activities, Redskins head coach Jay Gruden said Foster ran through a gap on the right side and stepped on the foot of offensive lineman Tyler Catalina before landing awkwardly on his left leg. Foster immediately crumbled to the ground and was screaming in pain. According to the Redskins’ official website, “a stabilizing cast was eventually placed on his left knee, and after staying down for about 10 minutes, Foster was carted back into the facility.”
When discussing the injury, Gruden said, “Reuben is the type of player that he is and [considering] the energy that he brings, he wouldn’t be laying down unless something was wrong. We’ll hope for the best right now until we get the results, but very concerning for sure. I’ll just have to wait and see before I get too emotional about it.” Gruden added that the 25-year-old Alabama product was “devasted” about the injury.
Behind Foster on the depth chart is 25-year-old Josh Harvey Clemons, a 2017 seventh-round draft pick out of Louisville.
