While the main focus for the Washington Football Team this offseason is to find a viable starting quarterback, the team also is looking to revamp its linebacker group across the board. Head coach Ron Rivera repeatedly referenced the struggles of his linebackers, despite the team having the second-ranked defense in the NFL in 2020.
One name many fans are clinging to being a missing piece is Reuben Foster. However, according to a report last week by JP Finlay of NBC Sports, Foster is unlikely to be in Washington’s plans this offseason.
Foster, 26, has yet to play a down for Washington despite being claimed off waivers by the team in November 2018 following his release from the San Francisco 49ers. Foster spent the rest of that season unable to play after being added to the Commissioner’s List, as authorities investigated accusations of a domestic violence incident that led to his release from the 49ers.
Washington’s team president at the time, Bruce Allen, made the call to claim Foster despite the initial backlash from critics.
Charges were dropped the following year, and Foster was allowed to rejoin the team and practice. Unfortunately in his first practice with his new team during OTAs, Foster suffered a major knee injury. He tore his ACL, MCL and LCL. He also suffered major nerve damage that led to him having a dropped foot. As a result he missed all of the 2019 season.
Foster returned to the practice field in 2020 looking to prove himself to then-first-year coach Ron Rivera. However, it was clear by all accounts, the injury took a toll on his athleticism and mobility he was known for when he starred at Alabama in college and early on in his NFL career with the 49ers.
Washington placed him on injured reserve, ending his chances of returning in 2020. The team also declined their fifth-year option on Foster, showing signs the team was preparing to move on from the once-talented linebacker.
Foster isn’t under contract for the 2021 season. Finlay added there’s a chance Washington could take out a flier on Foster with a league-minimum prove-it deal. But there are no guarantees given his physical struggles post-injury.
With the Bruce Allen-led old regime no longer with the team, Foster doesn’t have much of a connection to the new regime headed by Rivera. Thus, it will be much easier for Washington to turn the page on what will unfortunately be tabbed a failed project with Reuben Foster.
