Foster’s near injuries keep scaring coaches
Reuben Foster has sustained two injuries this season — and endless almost-injuries.
On Sunday, the 49ers’ rookie inside linebacker twice left a 25-23 win over the Titans for one play after he was examined on the field for what was described as a shoulder stinger. The previous Sunday, during a win in Houston, he also was momentarily laid out after he appeared to get the wind knocked out of him. And he has provided scares on at least two other occasions by tweaking the high ankle sprain that forced him to miss five games this season.
This week, head coach Kyle Shanahan joked that he was done being fooled by Foster.
“He’s already tricked me enough,” Shanahan said. “I told him I’m not coming out there anymore.”
However, despite not missing a game in college, the series of scares does raise serious questions about Foster’s durability. He also has missed a game with back spasms and missed the offseason program after undergoing surgery to repair a torn labrum.
Foster is relatively light for his position — he’s listed at 6-foot-1 and 228 pounds — but defensive coordinator Robert
Saleh doesn’t think added bulk would minimize injury risk.
“I mean, the guy just wants to kill people,” Saleh said. “So sometimes he kills himself for a play. I don’t know, if he’s 240 (pounds), 250, I think you’re going to have the same result. He hits the daylights out of people . ... It’s been a while since I’ve seen someone who hits as hard as he does.”
Added Saleh: “I think he’ll avoid some of those injuries as he gets smarter in the game. I don’t know if bulk is going to help with what he does.” Injury report: Defensive tackle DeForest Buckner missed his second straight practice with an ankle injury. Buckner hasn’t missed a game this season and has played in 29 of 30 games in his career.
“He’s moving along,” Saleh said. “Trainers have said that he looks good. So we’ll see how it goes later on in the week.”
Cornerback Greg Mabin (calf ) also was sidelined. The rookie has sat out since he was injured in practice last week. Winner, winner: Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo was named the FedEx Air Player of the Week for his 381-yard performance against the Titans. Garoppolo completed 31 of 43 passes with a touchdown and directed a game-winning drive capped by Robbie Gould’s 45-yard field goal as time expired.