Former Alabama linebacker will work out with Cleveland Browns
The Cleveland Browns will work out former Alabama linebacker Reuben Foster on Friday, according to ESPN’s Kimberley Martin. The former San Francisco 49er and Washington Football Team player has not played in an NFL game since 2018. Since then, he has dealt with issues on and off the field which have cast a shadow over his evident talent.
The San Francisco 49ers made Foster their pick at 31st overall in 2017, and they expected him to follow in the footsteps of players like Patrick Willis and Navarro Bowman. However, his time with the team was over before he could finish his second season.
While Foster had a productive rookie year, what followed doomed his career in San Francisco. Following multiple arrests, the 49ers decided to move on from Foster after deeming him untrustworthy.
After an investigation and his release, Foster was claimed by the Washington Football Team. While trying to rebuild his young career, he suffered another huge setback.
During his first practice with Washington, Foster tore his ACL, ending his comeback attempt before it could even get started. Since then, Foster has been rehabbing and attempting to return to the player he once promised to become.
More about Reuben Foster
The four-year NFL player had a tremendous career in Tuscaloosa, winning the Butkus Award for the nation’s top linebacker in 2016. Additionally, Reuben Foster was part of the Crimson Tide team that won the 2016 College Football Playoff National Championship.
However, the NFL has been a different story entirely for Foster. It’s been a long and tumultuous road, marred by injury and controversy.
To begin, Foster’s career started with a draft day slide. After widely expected to be the first linebacker taken, the former Alabama star was the fifth linebacker selected in the 2017 NFL Draft.
Foster has played in 16 games over his career, starting each one. He has 101 tackles, including 10 tackles for loss.
While Foster has not played in an NFL game since 2018, he has re-emerged on the radar of several NFL teams this season. Reuben Foster first worked out with the New York Jets and head coach Robert Saleh.
The Jets new head coach was with Foster in San Francisco, where he was the team’s defensive coordinator. If anybody can help the linebacker get his career back on track, perhaps it is Saleh.
Time will tell if Foster can rebuild his career, but an opportunity to do so may be on the horizon.