Foster gets back to work with team
Linebacker has been away since dealing with legal issues
SANTA CLARA » Linebacker Reuben Foster joined the 49ers in their voluntarily offseason program Thursday, some 2 ½ months after he agreed to steer clear of them amid felony domestic-violence charges. Thursday’s practice was closed to themedia— the 49ers permit one viewing session per week, and it happened Tuesday — so the extent of Foster’s participation was not immediately known.
He had worked out at the facility for two months after his Feb. 11 arrest but not since his April 12 arraignment. The team confirmed his Thursday return.
It was the third organized team activity this week. OTAs will continue the next two weeks before a mandatory minicamp June 12-14.
General manager John Lynch announced Foster’s return Wednesday less than an hour after Judge Nona Klippen dismissed felony domestic violence and criminal threats charges against the 24-year- old linebacker, citing a lack of evidence in the prose--
cutors’ case that unraveled last week when Foster’s exgirlfriend, Elissa Ennis, testified she fabricated the assault in an extortion attempt.
Foster has been in weekly contact with coach Kyle Shanahan and received support from teammates, including defensive backs Richard Sherman, Adrian Colbert and Jaquiski Tartt escorting him to court dates.
Left tackle Joe Staley, the longest tenured 49ers player, addressed the matter Wednesday night at the team’s State of the Fran- chise event in San Jose.
“I’m real excited about the news,” Staley said. “Obviously it’s a real positive. I’m excited to see him come back ... to give him a hug and move forward.”
The NFL is still reviewing whether Foster faces suspension. He is due back in court June 6 on an assaultweapons possession charge that Klippen reduced to a misdemeanor. He also has a court date June 20 in Alabama on a marijuana possession charge that could count against him in the NFL’s substance-abuse program.
Foster has yet to comment on any of his legal issues this offseason.
“He’s ready to show that he is the best linebacker in the league,” Foster’s agent, Malki Kawa, tweeted upon Wednesday’s ruling.
• Jerry Rice make a surprise cameo at Wednesday night’s event, along with five current players, to unveil the 2018 alternative jersey: an all-white throwback to 1994, the 49ers’ last Super Bowl-winning team.
“It makes me want to come out of retirement,” Rice said.
• The 49ers became a minority partner with Leeds United in England’s secondtier, Championship league. Paraag Marathe, the 49ers’ salary- cap czar, will represent 49ers Enterprises on the Leeds United board of directors.