San Francisco 49ers rookie linebacker Reuben Foster is eager to get back onto the football field. Very eager. Prior to Thursday's practice, the young defensive star spoke to reporters and shared how much he wants to return.
"I hope the doctors officially clear me," Foster said in the 49ers locker room prior to practice with a smile on his face. "I don't know (if I will play). Hopefully, they see a child in me -- like I want a candy. I want some candy. Let me have some candy."
#49ers Reuben Foster really wants to play ... as bad as a kid wanting candy pic.twitter.com/HYh6SZKHBC
— Cam Inman (@CamInman) October 12, 2017
"I've been ready but I wasn't (declared) ready," Foster continued. "But I'm ready and whatever the doctors say goes and I'm ready for whatever they throw at me just to try to get back out there with my brothers."
Thursday's practice will be Foster's second since suffering a high-ankle sprain against the Carolina Panthers on September 10. He was limited during Wednesday's practice, which was his first, but looked good considering he had missed a month due to the injury.
"[Foster] looked pretty good," 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh said on Thursday. "He was excited, champing at the bit to get out at practice and he looked good."
A decision on whether or not Foster will play in Sunday's road game against the Washington Redskins might not come until game time. The 49ers medical and coaching staffs intend to use the entire week of practice to determine the linebacker's readiness.
Foster has been doing everything right and has been staying mentally prepared to slip back into his starting spot on the defense.
"He's been out there every day," Saleh said. "Walkthroughs and all that stuff so he's still getting all those mental reps. And yesterday, he was sharp. Lined up, got people lined up. It was really cool to see because he hasn't really actually taken a live rep since whenever he got hurt and to see the way he commanded the huddle and the way he got people lined up was very encouraging."
