© Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
The Washington Redskins claimed Reuben Foster off waivers one day after the 49ers officially released the second-year linebacker. Foster was released after he was arrested for alleged domestic violence with the same on-again-off-again girlfriend, Elissa Ennis, who was also the accuser in his previous domestic violence case.
Many expected Foster to go unsigned for at least the foreseeable future, considering he has been arrested three times (twice for domestic violence and once for marijuana possession) this year alone. The NFL also suspended him for the first two games of the current season.
But the Redskins (6-5) claimed Foster Tuesday afternoon, which means 17 teams ahead of them did not put in a claim. NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported the Redskins were the only team to put in a waiver claim for Foster.
About 30 minutes after the deal was reported, the Redskins released a statement explaining the signing. According to the statement, shown below, Foster will not play a down until the legal process concludes and he meets with counselors.
A statement from the Washington Redskins Senior Vice President of Player Personnel Doug Williams: pic.twitter.com/zdxA8hmWtb
— Washington Redskins (@Redskins) November 27, 2018
Foster has been placed on the commissioner’s exempt list, deeming him ineligible for the active list until the exemption is lifted.
Reuben Foster, per NFL, “may not practice or attend games, but with the club’s permission he may be present at the club’s facility on a reasonable basis for meetings,
individual workouts, therapy and rehabilitation, and other permitted non-football activities.”— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 27, 2018