The Washington Redskins claimed disgraced linebacker Reuben Foster on waivers on Tuesday, two days after he was fired by the San Francisco 49ers following his arrest over an allegation of domestic violence.
Foster’s NFL career appeared to be in jeopardy on Sunday after he was axed by the 49ers following his detention by police in Florida on Saturday.
The 24-year-old had been arrested after allegedly slapping a woman across the face and shoving her in the chest at the 49ers hotel in Tampa ahead of their game against the Buccaneers.
The 49ers, who had stood by Foster after a separate domestic violence case ended with no charges earlier this year, immediately released the player following the new allegations.
The Redskins quickly swooped in for Foster on Tuesday, while insisting that “nothing is promised” to the player.
“Today we have claimed the rights to Reuben Foster,” the Redskins’ vice president of player personnel Doug Williams said in a statement.
“The Redskins fully understand the severity of the recent allegations made against Reuben,” Williams added. “If true, you can be sure these allegations are nothing our organisation would ever condone.
“Nothing is promised to Reuben, but we are hopeful being around so many of his former team-mates and friends will eventually provide him with the best possible environment to succeed both personally and professionally.”
Foster, the penultimate first-round pick in last year’s NFL Draft, made 72 tackles, 59 of them solo, and a pass deflection in 10 games for San Francisco last season, all of them as a starter.
Foster has featured in only six games this season, making 25 tackles and a pass deflection.