Commanders Ex Comeback? Reuben Foster Signing Rumor

Former Washington Commanders linebacker Reuben Foster hasn't played in the NFL since 2018. Did the USFL just change his path?

The Washington Commanders took a shot a few years ago on Rueben Foster. As has too often been the case with this franchise, the shot missed its mark.

But suddenly there is talk of the oft-troubled linebacker getting a chance at a return to the NFL, where he last played in 2019.

The former NFL first-round pick just performed in the USFL title game, with the Birmingham Stallions defeating his Pittsburgh Maulers … with Foster opening some eyes along the way.

"Yeah he's going to end up playing for the other Pittsburgh football team," former Steelers linebacker Vince Williams tweeted.

We’re not certain what insight Williams has into the Steelers organizational plan. But we trust his linebacker’s eye.  Foster, 29, is being judged as having had a good year in Pittsburgh.

Now, will somebody in the NFL allow him to pass judgment? In addition to dealing with injuries after the Niners picked him, off-the-field issues have plagued him. 

In 2018, Foster was dealt a two-game suspension after committing a weapons offense and a misdemeanor drug offense. Weeks later, Foster was arrested for domestic violence and the 49ers cut him shortly after. In 2019, the charges against Foster were dropped after there was insufficient evidence against him.

Washington claimed Foster off waivers shortly after he was cut by San Francisco, but he never played a down as a member of the organization. During his first practice in 2019, Foster suffered a torn ACL and was placed on the injured reserve list. Still recovering from the injury a season later, he was placed on the PUP list at the beginning of training camp in 2020 before being activated a month later.

Foster would head back to the PUP prior to the start of the year. He would not be re-signed following the season's conclusion.

So going forward, the NFL now has evidence that Rueben Foster is physically healthy … which still leaves some of the questions of his employability unanswered.

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