One of the biggest concerns surrounding Reuben Foster coming out of college, and a reason the 49ers were able to trade up and draft him with the 31st pick in the draft, was a perceived lingering issue with his right shoulder, especially after he had surgery on it in February.
Foster and the shoulder have both looked fine so far in training camp — he hasn’t missed a day of practice — but an issue that sprung up on Thursday will keep him away from contact in the 49ers’ joint practice with the Broncos. The issue is a mild AC joint sprain in the same shoulder, something that according to the team is unrelated to the torn labrum he sustained in last year’s national semifinal game that led to the surgery, as first reported by Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area.
49ers general manager John Lynch does not seem concerned.
“I talked to him and like Reuben, big smile, said, ‘I’m straight,’” Lynch said. “And, so he’s good. He’s straight.”
Foster played 27 snaps in the 49ers first preseason game against the Chiefs last Friday and was very impressive, grading out as the team’s fifth most effective player according to Pro Football Focus.