5 moves the 49ers need to make this 2018 offseason
By Peter Panacy
No. 5: Find a Backup to Linebacker Reuben Foster
Linebacker Reuben Foster’s recent arrest on charges of domestic violence and possession of an assault rifle puts the 49ers in a serious bind.
San Francisco is waiting the situation out. Surely, the team understands how important Foster is on the field. And being a first-round investment, the Niners won’t take the investigation and eventual “what to do?” decision lightly.
San Francisco 49ers
NBC Sports Bay Area’s Matt Maiocco summed up the predicament:
"But there is no way of knowing at this stage what the investigation will produce and whether the 49ers can justify retaining Foster on their team. But, from a football standpoint, it does not matter. Even if Foster remains on the team, the 49ers have to approach this offseason as if he will not be available for all 16 games. The personnel department has look to strengthen the roster as if Foster will never play another down of football for the organization."
Even if the 49ers elect to keep Foster, the NFL could easily hand down the minimum six-game suspension dealt to first-time domestic violence offenders regardless what the legal outcome is. Combined with a previous arrest for illegal marijuana possession in Alabama the previous month, the red flags are popping.
Either way, the Niners need to add a serviceable linebacker capable of backing Foster up, either due to a possible suspension and/or to serve as insurance against Foster’s injury history.
The Jacksonville Jaguars’ Paul Posluszny is a pending free agent, likely not to cost much based off his advanced age (33 years old). And Niner Noise’s own Florito Maniego argued the Tennessee Titans’ Avery Williamson might be a nice long-term solution if needed.
Regardless who the target is, it’s a situation San Francisco needs to address.