49ers’ Foster puts focus back on field
Linebacker Reuben Foster spent the first two weeks of the season being a fan, cheering on his 49ers from his couch while serving a two-game suspension.
When he got the chance to rejoin his teammates Monday, he was ready to celebrate.
“It was like a holiday,” Foster said Thursday. “It was just like a holiday just knowing I could come back and play the game I love for real. I’m happy that I’m playing the cards right off the field and on the field.”
The end of the suspension for violating the NFL’s policies on substance abuse and personal conduct closes a difficult stretch for Foster that had him spending much of the offseason dealing with legal issues.
He was charged in January in Alabama with second-degree marijuana possession. That charge was eventually dismissed. Foster then faced more serious charges for an incident in California in February. He was initially charged in April with felonies for domestic violence, making criminal threats and weapons possession after being accused of beating up his ex-girlfriend.
A judge ruled there was no probable cause on the first two charges after the ex-girlfriend recanted the allegations and the judge found no other evidence to support the charges. The weapons charge was reduced to a misdemeanor.
“I’ve got to be real cautious about being too excited this week on my first day back,” he said. “Getting overwhelmed is very easy. I do that every time.”
On target: While the Vikings and Browns changed kickers after only two games, the Bengals gave Randy Bullock a two-year contract extension for his perfect start.
He’s made every field goal and extra-point attempt, helping the Bengals remain unbeaten.
The seventh-year kicker has settled into the job after beating out fifth-round draft pick Jake Elliott last year, prompting the Bengals (2-0) to offer the contract extension through 2020. He signed it on Tuesday.
Bullock is one of 11 kickers in the NFL who have yet to miss.
Changing up: Saints coach Sean Payton doesn’t expect quarterback Drew Brees to keep throwing to receiver Michael Thomas quite as often as he has through the season’s first two weeks, when Thomas has racked up more receptions than the rest of New Orleans’ receivers and tight ends combined.
Thomas has 28 catches, the most of any NFL receiver in the first two weeks of a season, surpassing Andre Rison’s 26 in 1994 with the Falcons.
Running back Alvin Kamara is second in catches with 15, but many of his receptions are short ones out of the backfield that essentially substitute for running plays.
Among more conventional receiving targets, receiver Ted Ginn Jr. has nine catches, tight end Ben Watson has seven, and no one else has more than two.
Extra points: TE Rob Gronkowski is dealing with an ankle issue as the Patriots prepare for their Week 3 matchup with the Lions. Gronkowski was a limited participant in practice after participating in Wednesday’s workout. DE Trey Flowers and S Patrick Chung missed practice for the second straight day as they continue to go through the league’s concussion protocol . ... Broncos QB Case Keenum returned to practice after missing a day with a sore knee. Keenum didn’t want to miss Wednesday’s workout but said he understood that being cautious in September will give him a better chance of staying in the lineup all season . ... Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes’ 10 TDs are the most in NFL history by a quarterback in his team’s first two games. Peyton Manning has the most through three games with 12 in 2013 for the Broncos and Tom Brady is second with 11 in 2011.