San Francisco 49ers rookie linebacker Reuben Foster hits hard. At times, he hits so hard that it takes him a few minutes to get back up. But other than two significant injuries that forced him to miss six games earlier in the season, Foster typically gets back up and returns to the game.
49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan told reporters on Monday that he is not going to be fooled by Foster's injuries anymore.
"I think everyone can see Reuben throws his body around," Shanahan said. "He plays very hard. That's something you have to ask Reuben about. He's already tricked me enough. I told him, 'I'm not coming out there anymore.'"
On Thursday, defensive coordinator Robert Saleh was asked if the coaches will discuss a possible change in body type for Foster to avoid some of the in-game injuries that have occurred.
"I like where he's at right now," Saleh said. "He looks fast. He looks fleet of foot. The guy just, I shouldn't say careless, I mean the guy just wants to kill people. So sometimes he kills himself for a play. I don't know. If he's 240, 250, I think you're going to have the same result. He hits the daylights out of people. Every once in a while, he's going to get something where he might have to take a breather.
"It's been a while since I've seen someone who hits as hard as he does. I think after a full offseason where he can just build his body instead of having to rehab, eat right and do things the right way, I think he'll avoid some of those injuries as he gets smarter in the game. I don't know if bulk is going to help with what he does."
Eating right might be difficult for Foster, who loves Cinnamon Toast Crunch so much that he consumes about three bowls of the cereal a day, as he told Chris Biderman of Niners Wire.
Reuben Foster and Cinnamon Toast Crunch, a love story. #49ers pic.twitter.com/caBh0NZ3Ha
— Chris Biderman (@ChrisBiderman) December 15, 2017
"I texted him the other day when I saw that come out," Saleh said. "[Jaguars linebacker] Telvin Smith had an affinity, well he has one. It's his pregame meal.
"I was messing with him. I was like, 'How are you going to play eating Cinnamon Toast Crunch?' He says 'That's my power.' Must be a good thing for linebackers. They should all do it."