San Francisco 49ers linebacker Reuben Foster, who appeared for his arraignment on Thursday in Santa Clara, is facing charges of domestic violence with an allegation that he inflicted great bodily injury, forcefully attempting to prevent a victim from reporting a crime, and possession of an assault weapon.
The charges were read to Foster with his teammates Richard Sherman and Jaquiski Tartt in attendance for support. Sherman said (via NFL Network) Foster does not have family in the area.
Foster remains a member of the 49ers with the team waiting for the legal process to progress before making any decision on the linebackers' future.
"We will continue to follow this serious matter," said the 49ers via a statement released on Thursday. "Reuben is aware that his place in our organization is under great scrutiny and will depend on what is learned through the legal process."
Foster will be able to enter a plea at a hearing set for April 30.
Ian Rapoport of NFL Network stated on Thursday that he expects Foster will stay away from the 49ers' facilities until the legal process progresses.
"I'd be surprised if we see Reuben Foster in the 49ers building until this is resolved," Rapoport said. "They have voluntary offseason conditioning that starts [Monday]. So my expectation is for him to stay away until this goes a little forward.
"But, yeah, I would say the 49ers are frustrated with this, and if it is true, it does not bode well for Reuben Foster's future with the organization."
Jim Trotter of NFL Network reports that Foster will not be eligible for the commissioner's exempt list until the league concludes its investigation of the domestic violence allegations. Foster will be able to attend the team's offseason program, which begins on Monday, but it will be interesting to see if he does.
I was just informed that linebacker Reuben Foster is NOT a candidate for the commissioner's exempt list until the league concludes its investigation of domestic violence allegations. Therefore he is clear to attend start of team workouts Monday. #49ers
— Jim Trotter (@JimTrotter_NFL) April 12, 2018
Rapoport may not expect Foster to be in attendance for the team's offseason program, but Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area feels differently. He fully expects Foster to be in attendance.
At this point I fully expect Reuben Foster to attend #49ers offseason program, which opens Monday. As noted earlier, teams often talk about how some troubled individuals need the support and structure they get from an NFL environment.
— Matt Maiocco (@MaioccoNBCS) April 12, 2018
"It gets even more serious for Reuben Foster," Rapoport later added. "Could face up to 11 years in prison if he is found guilty of all this."
From @NFLTotalAccess: The latest on the #49ers situation with LB Reuben Foster and the #Seahawks' postponed workout with Colin Kaepernick. pic.twitter.com/Jo9IRst6Fy
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 12, 2018