The Washington Redskins have reportedly declined to pick up the fifth-year option for linebacker Reuben Foster’s contract, according to Les Carpenter, with the Washington Post.
This doesn’t come as much surprise, seeing as there is not yet a timetable for Foster’s return to the field. By declining to pick up the option, Washington is simply not guaranteeing him any money for the 2020 season. He can still come back and play on a reworked deal if healthy.
Health is the major question, though. About a year ago, in spring OTAs, Foster went down with a severe knee injury that left him sidelined for the entire 2019 season. The extent of the damage done wasn’t known initially, but reports that Foster suffered significant nerve damage in his leg have since come out, highlighted by a report that he finally regained the feeling in his foot earlier this year.
If he were to be healthy enough to play in 2020, the Redskins could absolutely use him at the linebacker position, but until we know more about his return to the game, there is no banking on his ability to suit up any time soon.
