Ammo charge on Foster is dropped
Reuben Foster will not face a misdemeanor charge for possession of a large-capacity ammunition magazine because of a federal injunction, the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office announced Monday.
The 49ers’ linebacker still faces felony charges for domestic violence, forcefully attempting to prevent a victim from reporting a crime and possessing an assault weapon.
The D.A.’s office announced it had been advised that a judge of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California in San Diego has issued an injunction preventing enforcement of the misdemeanor weapons charge, pending review. As a result, the D.A. plans to dismiss the charge at Foster’s next court date, a plea hearing April 30.
Foster, 24, is accused of dragging his girlfriend by the hair, punching her in the head eight to 10 times and leaving her bruised and with a punctured eardrum.
On Sunday, the 49ers announced Foster will not participate in any football-related activities while his case is ongoing. The 49ers began their offseason program Monday.
— Eric Branch
Broncos release Anderson: A person familiar with the situation said former Cal running back C.J. Anderson has been released by Denver.
The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the team hasn’t announced Anderson’s departure, first reported by NFL Network.
The move clears a combined $9 million off the books over the next two seasons for Denver and opens the way for Devontae Booker, DeAngelo Henderson or a pick in the upcoming draft to become the Broncos’ featured back.
Anderson, 27, is coming off his best season, in which the Vallejo native played in all 16 games and ran for a careerbest 1,007 yards. Gordon re-signs: Cleveland wide receiver Josh Gordon will make $790,000 next season after signing with the club as an exclusive-rights free agent.
Gordon returned to the Browns and played five games last season following an NFL suspension and a lengthy rehab stint. Gordon, 27, is eligible to be a restricted free agent in 2019. Harrison retires again: Longtime Pittsburgh linebacker James Harrison is taking a second crack at retirement.
The five-time Pro Bowler and 2008 NFL Defensive Player of the Year said on Instagram he is stepping away from the game following a 15-year career. He played most of his career in Pittsburgh. Harrison spent the 2013 season in Cincinnati and signed with New England last season.
NFL to bar certain helmets: The NFL for the first time is prohibiting certain helmets from being worn by players.
The league sought to have players stop using 10 helmet varieties. Some, particularly those manufactured by Rawlings, no longer are being made and don’t have support from the company. Others were found to be inferior to many of the 34 helmets the NFL and the players’ union examined.
Six of the substandard helmets are prohibited immediately. The other four may be worn by players who used them in 2017 but not by new players. Briefly: Linebacker Eric Kendricks, who’s led the Vikings in tackles in each of his first three seasons, signed a multiyear contract extension . ... Jacksonville linebacker Paul Posluszny retired after 11 seasons . ... Defensive end David Irving signed a $2.9 million, one-year offer as a restricted free agent . ... The Bears signed former Denver receiver Bennie Fowler to a one-year contract. ... The Seahawks re-signed quarterback Austin Davis as the presumptive backup to Russell Wilson . ... The Bills signed free-agent receiver Jeremy Kerley to a one-year contract . ... Tight end Gavin Escobar signed with the Dolphins, his fifth team . ... Washington re-signed offensive tackle Ty Nsekhe . ... Defensive lineman Aaron Donald, who missed last year’s opening game after a contract holdout, has skipped the start of the Rams’ voluntary offseason workouts as his representatives discuss a lavish new contract with the team.