49ers Sticking With Reuben Foster (For Now) Despite Felony Charges

Linebacker Reuben Foster has until April 30 to plead on three felony charges

Author:
Jacob Feldman
Publish date:
Apr 13, 2018

With 49ers linebacker Reuben Foster being arraigned Thursday afternoon, new details came to light about the February incident that could send the former first-rounder to prison. For now though, San Francisco appears to be hanging onto the 24 year old, even after hearing claims from the Santa Clara County district attorney's office that Foster allegedly struck his live-in girlfriend's head 8-10 times, ruptured her eardrum, dragged her by her hair, and tried to keep her from reporting the incident. Foster is also charged with possession of an assault weapon.

“The 49ers organization is aware of today’s disturbing charges regarding Reuben Foster,” the team said in a statement. “We will continue to follow this serious matter. Reuben is aware that his place in our organization is under great scrutiny and will depend on what is learned through the legal process.” Meanwhile, two of Foster's teammates—Jaquiski Tartt and Richard Sherman—attended the brief hearing. “We don't know what happened,” Sherman said. “I'm not judging the circumstances. I'm just trying to support him.”

In his first draft as 49ers GM, John Lynch was comfortable taking Foster third overall but ended up landing the Alabama product at pick No. 31 after trading into that spot. Now Foster presents a defining test during Lynch's nascent reign and many are already criticizing the organization for declining to cut ties at this point. "[Foster is] a symbol of who the 49ers are, and the corners they're willing to cut, until and unless they release him or tell us exactly why they haven't," Tim Kawakami has written in The Athletic.

Foster has until April 30 to plead on the three felonies he's charged with. In the meantime, he can begin preparing for the 2018 season.

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