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Former 49ers linebacker Reuben Foster tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee Monday at the start of Washington’s organized team activities, ESPN reported.
Foster, released by the 49ers last Nov. 25 upon a domestic-violence arrest in Tampa, got hurt only three snaps into Monday’s practice. He had to get carted off the field and repeatedly slammed his fist into the turf as Washington’s medical staff evaluated him.
“Reuben just ran through three-quarters speed, landed on (quarterback Josh Woodrum’s) foot, and got his knee tangled,” Washington coach Jay Gruden said in a post-practice press conference carried live by NFL Network. “I don’t know how to process it, really.
“He’s devastated,” Gruden added. “He was obviously very guarded right now. He felt something happen in his leg. We don’t know what it is yet. We’ve got to get all the tests back. But he’s very upset about it.”
Redskins linebacker Reuben Foster was visibly in serious pain and carted off the field after an injury on Monday. pic.twitter.com/Ha6QnT4Owy
— NBC Sports Commanders (@NBCSCommanders) May 20, 2019
The 49ers drafted Foster in the 2017 first round, launching a tenure that was short-lived and included three arrests as well as multiple on-field injuries. Foster had to be carted off from his NFL debut with an ankle injury in the 2017 opener against Carolina.
“I love the energy he brings to this football team. Obviously he’s been through a lot as a young football player off the field and on the field, ” Gruden said. “I’m just very disappointed what happened today. He just runs through a gap and gets injured.”
Former 49ers teammate Adrian Colbert tweeted out Monday: “Prayers up for my brother Reuben.”
Prayers up for my brother Reuben 🙏🏾
— ADRIAN COLBERT (@AdrianColbert27) May 20, 2019
Washington claimed Foster after his 49ers release, although he didn’t play the rest of last season. The NFL announced last month it would not suspend Foster for the Tampa incident in which charges were dropped.
Foster was suspended the first two games of 2018 for violating the league’s personal conduct and substances-of-abuse policies, stemming from earlier arrests, including a case in which other domestic-violence charges were dismissed as he also pled no contest to a misdemeanor weapons violation.
Monday’s injury occurred when Foster rushed Woodrum in a non-contact drill, according to the Washington Post, which noted that “Foster alternated between lying flat on his back with hands on his helmet and rolling on his side, grabbing his leg.”
On the second play of OTAs, LB Reuben Foster was pushed to the turf and immediately grabbed his left knee and screamed out in pain. He’s been on the turf for five minutes now and the cart is out @TheAthleticDC #HTTR
— Rhiannon Walker (@InstantRHIplay) May 20, 2019
Reuben Foster being carted away from practice field with an air cast on his left knee pic.twitter.com/ebWV0IpLTh
— Les Carpenter (@Lescarpenter) May 20, 2019
“We’ve had some bad luck over here for the last couple years, but this one here takes the cake,” Gruden said. “It was a non-contact drill and there was really no contact in it. He just landed funny.”
Redskins linebacker Reuben Foster was carted off the practice field after the team's third rep at the start of their first organized team activity practice. Foster slammed the turf multiple times with his fist and was comforted by several team officials. pic.twitter.com/K0PMxePLv6
— John Keim (@john_keim) May 20, 2019
The 49ers also opened organized team activities on Monday. They’ve restocked their linebacker corps following Foster’s exodus, signing free agents Kwon Alexander and David Mayo and spending a fifth-round draft pick on Dre Greenlaw.
