Already, 49ers rookie linebacker Reuben Foster has sustained rib, back, ankle and knee injuries and his first season isn’t over yet. He lays out on the turf so often, head coach Kyle Shanahan isn’t going to come out and check on him any more.
“He’s fooled me too many times,” Shanahan said.
However, Foster’s frequent injuries are an issue. Defensive coordinator Robert Saleh said that Foster simply hits too hard.
“He hits the daylights out of people,” Saleh said. “Every once in a while, he’s going to get something where he might have to take a breather. It’s been a while since I’ve seen someone who hits as hard as he does.”
Could it be that he hits too hard? Will Foster have to dial it back and just try get the player to the ground rather than try to tattoo them every time?
The 49ers don’t have an answer. Saleh hopes an off-season of possibly learning a different technique and building up his body might help.
“I think after a full off season where he can just build his body instead of having to rehab, eat right and do things the right way, I think he’ll avoid some of those injuries as he gets smarter in the game,” Saleh said.
Eating right might mean giving up sugary cereals. Foster famously feasts on Cinnamon Toast Crunch daily, saying he has three bowls a day. The company agreed to send him three boxes for every tackle he makes, which probably doesn’t thrill the 49ers’ strength and conditioning staff and likely won’t help him recover from his bumps and bruises.