This season hasn’t exactly been the debut many hoped for Reuben Foster.
While many believe Foster’s aggressive mindset caused the series of injuries that kept the 23-year-old linebacker to only five tackles and three assists in two brief appearances this season, Ronnie Lott told Murph & Mac on Friday morning that he believes it’s also what makes Foster special.
“The one thing I do know is that when you play as hard as he plays and just knowing what I know, there is a recklessness about how he plays and that’s why he’s probably had some of the injuries he’s had, but that’s what I love about him and what I love about the character,” Lott said. “That’s what I love about the pop. That’s what I love about his spirit. That’s important to have.”
From day one, more specifically the first quarter of Week 1, Foster’s NFL debut was cut short when he was carted off the field with a high ankle sprain.
After missing the next five games, Foster returned in Week 7 against the Dallas Cowboys only to suffer a rib injury in the third quarter, which kept him on the sideline against the Philadelphia Eagles the following week.
Foster is expected to play against the Arizona Cardinals this Sunday and Lott believes the youngster has what it takes to put this injury-riddled rookie season behind him.
“You got to show up and that’s what I love about the kid,” Lott said. “I got to imagine he’ll be patient, he’ll be ready and at some point, he’ll have enough people around him where he’ll be able to hopefully stay healthy and be able to do the things he needs to do.”
To listen to the full interview check out the podcast below, and skip to 8:00 for Lott on Foster.