The San Francisco 49ers had a talk with their young linebacker, Reuben Foster, and the message was clear: Stay out of trouble from here on out.
"That's the message that came through, and I respect it," Foster said on Saturday regarding the conversation he had with general manager John Lynch and company. "They stood by me, though. A brotherhood."
Foster appears to be on a short leash following a drama-filled offseason that could have quickly ended his NFL career. Instead, he will miss just two games to start the regular season.
"That's painful," Foster said of the suspension. "It's football. It's something I do, something I love. It is what it is. You accept the consequences. You move on. You take, and you move on. You learn from it too, and you grow from it."
Foster was arrested twice this offseason. The first time on January 12 for second-degree possession of marijuana in Alabama and a second time on February 11 for suspected domestic violence.
The judge in the case stemming from the second arrest later dropped the more serious charges leaving Foster sentenced to probation and community service for a remaining weapons charge. The linebacker completed a diversion course in Alabama, which allowed the first case to be dismissed.
Saturday was the first time Foster spoke with the media since the arrests. He had his typical smile and knew the tough questions would come, but he didn't want to discuss the arrests in too much detail.
One detail Foster was willing to share was his appreciation for teammates like Richard Sherman, who supported him through the process and were there for him in the courtroom.
"I respect Richard Sherman for that," Foster said. "Coming to court, supporting me. Just being there for me. In the hard times, he don't know truth or false but, at the same time, he waited patiently just like me."
Foster knows he will have to work even harder from here on out. He acknowledged that he has to work as hard at life as he does at football.
"It made me appreciate football a lot better," Foster said. "It was crazy knowing that football can be gone. But just being back on this field with my brothers and these coaches is a blessing."
Rapoport: Jimmy Garoppolo's increasing value making 49ers' offseason decision easy
By David Bonilla
Nov 28
The idea that the San Francisco 49ers are likely to trade Jimmy Garoppolo in the offseason will come as a surprise to no one. According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, San Francisco plans to trade their starting quarterback unless the team surprises and makes a Super Bowl run. Of course, that was probably always the plan. However, last week, Garoppolo and head coach Kyle Shanahan left the door open for the quarterback to potentially return in 2022.
"I think there's a chance for anything," Shanahan said on Wednesday when asked about Garoppolo's potential future with the 49ers. "But I think we've made it pretty clear that Trey's our guy of the future, whenever that will happen."
Rapoport, speaking Sunday on NFL GameDay Morning, said Garoppolo's increased
Back in the hunt: Where the 49ers stand in the NFC playoff picture after rout of Rams
By David Bonilla
Nov 16
Let's not get too far ahead of ourselves. The San Francisco 49ers still have eight games remaining on their 2021 schedule. However, their season isn't as dead as it appeared a week ago. After a decisive 31-10 victory over the Los Angeles Rams, a division rival with Super Bowl aspirations, their playoff hopes are alive.
Next up are the Jacksonville Jaguars, a team Kyle Shanahan's Niners should be able to beat. Of course, that was the thinking in Week 9 against an injury-depleted Arizona Cardinals team. That didn't go as hoped.
However, if the 49ers can ride the momentum of Monday night's impressive and somewhat shocking win throughout the rest of the season, they could be a dangerous team down the
'I went to sleep happy': Frank Gore praises Elijah Mitchell, others in 49ers' rout of Rams
By David Bonilla
Nov 16
Frank Gore still watches San Francisco 49ers games. Last night, he was watching when his former team shockingly dismantled the revamped Los Angeles Rams at Levi's Stadium. This morning, Gore joined KNBR and shared his thoughts on some of the 49ers' star players, including the rookie running back.
"They played physical," Gore said on the Murph & Mac show. "I liked the way they played the game last night. I like that young kid, [Elijah Mitchell]. ... He's a good back. He's got a bright future. Just tell him to keep working. Just keep his head down, keep working."
San Francisco rushed the football 44 times for 156 yards. Mitchell had 27 carries for 91 yards. The rookie leads the team with 560 rushing yards this season.
"I like your boy,
Elijah Mitchell sustained finger fracture, plus other 49ers injury updates from Kyle Shanahan
By David Bonilla
Nov 16
San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan spoke with reporters via a conference call and provided several injury updates from Monday night's win over the Los Angeles Rams.
Rookie running back Elijah Mitchell, the team's leading rusher, suffered a finger fracture.
"He's having his procedure done today," Shanahan told reporters. "We should get an update from the doctor this afternoon, whether he'll be able to practice or play with that."
Shanahan said he is unsure exactly when the injury occurred. Nor is the coach sure which hand sustained the fracture.
"It sounded like they're pretty optimistic he'll be alright," Shanahan noted. "But they've just got to put a pin in it, see how it fits, and if they can just protect it. They think
