The San Francisco 49ers should have one of their key defensive players back on Sunday with the expected return of rookie linebacker Reuben Foster. The 49ers listed him as questionable on the final injury report, but Kyle Shanahan said he expected Foster to play barring a setback this weekend. This would suggest there have been no setbacks.
Foster’s return is important in stopping Adrian Peterson and Andre Ellington out of the backfield. He will likely be wearing the green sticker helmet to call plays, with Brock Coyle playing next to him. Last week, Coyle got the start over Ray-Ray Armstrong, who was a rotational option.
The 49ers had a potential steal when they nabbed Foster at the end of the first round this past April. Of course, he has yet to complete a regular season game in his brief NFL career, which is concerning. Durability issues were a concern, although it was primarily related to his shoulder injury. The shoulder has held up, but he has had a high ankle sprain and a rib injury over the first two months of the season. Hopefully he can last through Sunday’s game without another injury.