All four of Reuben Foster’s criminal charges, including domestic violence, weapons possession, threats, and marijuana possession were dropped earlier this year. Yet there was a high likelihood the NFL would suspend the 49ers’ prized linebacker, though the lack of past precedent made a suspension length difficult to predict.
The NFL announced Tuesday morning that Foster will be suspended without pay for the opening two games of the NFL season for violating the NFL’s Conduct and Substances of Abuse policies. Note that Foster’s suspension was not tied to the domestic violence charges permeating the case for three-plus months.
The punishable violations are traced to the weapons charge and misdemeanor drug offense that were eventually dropped. While Foster is allowed to participate in all preseason activities, Foster will be allowed to return to the 49ers’ active roster on Sept. 17, one day after San Francisco’s Week 2 matchup with the Detroit Lions.
Foster and general manager John Lynch released statements regarding the suspension, according to a 49ers press release.
“I accept the league’s decision and am sorry that my mistakes have hurt my team,” Foster said. “I have a responsibility to the 49ers, our fans and our community, and I am committed to learning from this situation and making better choices in the future. The support I have received over the last five months has been humbling, and I do not take it for granted.”
“Our organization understands and supports the league’s decision,” Lynch said. “Although we are disappointed that Reuben will not be with our team for the first two games of the season, we will continue to work with him on making better decisions and eliminating unnecessary distractions. We are encouraged to see Reuben take responsibility for his mistakes, and hopeful that he has learned from them as well.”
A two-game suspension is favorable for the 49ers, and it should come as no surprise given the NFL’s track record in marijuana cases.
Foster’s first legal run-in in this particular case happened on Jan. 13. Foster was arrested in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, and charged with second-degree marijuana possession.
On Feb. 11, Foster was arrested on suspicion of domestic violence against his former girlfriend, Elissa Ennis, in his Los Gatos home. He was displaced to the Santa Clara County Main Jail for charges on domestic violence, threats, and possession of an assault weapon.
One month later, the Santa Clara District Attorney’s Office charges Foster with three felonies, including domestic violence with an allegation that he inflicted great bodily injury, forcefully attempting to prevent a victim from reporting a crime, and possession of an assault weapon. The implications, if convicted were vast: Foster faced up to 11 years in prison.
Then in late April, Elissa Ennis, Foster’s ex-girlfriend, later recanted the charges, saying she made everything up for money purposes. She later testified that she lied under oath.
On May 23, the charges the charges against Foster for domestic violence and criminal threats were dismissed. The third charge, possession of an assault weapon, was reduced to a misdemeanor.
On June 6, Foster pleaded no contest to a weapons charge, the last remaining offense. The charge would be dismissed on the assumption that Foster serves 232 hours of community service. The judge ruled that he faces two years probation and can not possess a gun or ammunition.
A complete timeline of the Foster saga is chronicled here.
With all four charges dropped, an incoming suspension was the final piece of floating information surrounding the Foster saga.