Washington takes chance on LB Foster
Linebacker Reuben Foster, cast aside from the 49ers after Saturday night’s domestic-violence arrest, was claimed off waivers Tuesday by Washington.
The NFL immediately intervened, however, and placed him on the commissioner’s exempt list, preventing Foster from practicing or playing in games while it reviews his arrest, NFL Media reported. Foster’s ex-girlfriend, Elissa Ennis, accused him of battery at the 49ers hotel Saturday night in Tampa, Florida.
Despite Foster facing another NFL suspension — he missed the 49ers first two games because of this past offseason’s two arrests — Washington is at least taking a flier on him for the future. He has two years remaining on his rookie contract, plus a 2021 team option.
A statement from Washington executive Doug Williams read in part: “Reuben will have to go through numerous steps, including the full legal process, an investigation and potential discipline form the NFL, as well as meetings with counselors associated with the team before he will ever have the opportunity to wear the Burgundy and Gold.”
NFL policy mandates a six-game suspension in domestic-violence cases, although the league did not discipline Foster this past offseason until after a judge dropped domesticviolence charges against him regarding a February arrest.
“Hopefully this is rock bottom for him and he can fix himself in all those ways and still find a way to go have success in his life or hopefully another team someday,” 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan said Monday.
Washington (6-5) is tied atop the NFC East with the Dallas Cowboys.
Foster served a two-game suspension at the start of this season for violating the NFL’s personal-conduct and substance-abuse policies, relating to a misdemeanor weapons violation from his Los Gatos arrest on Feb. 11 and a marijuana-possession case in Alabama that got dismissed earlier this year.
While Foster was in a Tampa jail waiting to post $2,000 bond, the 49ers announced they were releasing him, some 4 ½ hours before their game against the Buccaneers, a 27-9 defeat that dropped the 49ers record to 2-9.
The 49ers weren’t able to officially place him on waivers until Monday, hence Tuesday’s claiming period for teams, of which at least 16 teams other than the 49ers passed on Foster.
Asked if he knew Foster might get claimed, 49ers general manager John Lynch, appearing on KNBR, said: “I didn’t know what to think. You hear of other teams who were interested (pre-draft) and did a ton of work on him, so it doesn’t surprise me where he went. We’ll see where that goes.”
SAINTS STILL ATOP PRO 32 POLL >> For the past 2 months, one thing has been clear in the NFL: Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints are hard to stop.
The Saints’ winning streak reached 10 games with their 31-17 victory over Atlanta on Thanksgiving night.
The Saints will play their second consecutive Thursday night game when they open Week 13 by facing the Dallas Cowboys.
And it’s not the least bit surprising that the surging Saints kept the No. 1 spot in the latest AP Pro32 poll. They received all 12 first-place votes and 384 points in balloting Tuesday by media members who regularly cover the NFL.
The league’s other 10-1 team, the Rams, stayed at No. 2 after its bye week. And the Kansas City Chiefs, who also were on a bye last week, remained No. 3.
STEELERS STRUGGLING AT TIGHT END >> The Pittsburgh Steelers will have their depth at tight end tested with Vance McDonald and Xavier Grimble both dealing with injuries. Coach Mike Tomlin said that McDonald has a hip issue while Grimble is in the concussion protocol. The Chargers visit the Steelers this weekend. .