The Washington Redskins' newest linebacker, 24-year-old Reuben Foster, will not appeal the league's decision to place him on the commissioner's exempt list, per Adam Schefter of ESPN.
On November 24, Foster was arrested for misdemeanor domestic violence charges, and the 49ers released him the next day. He will likely miss the remainder of the season.
The Redskins claimed Foster, a former first-round pick, with the hope that he can become an integral part of their defense next season.
Last year, Foster was was arrested on suspicion of domestic violence, threats, and assault weapon possession charges and was charged with felony counts of multiple domestic violence, possession of a weapon, and infliction of bodily harm. However, Foster's girlfriend, Elissa Ennis, recanted her allegation and the charges were dropped. Ennis is the alleged victim of this most recent assault as well.
The 49ers kept Foster on the roster after this first allegation, but the organization had seen enough with this second incident.
Foster was claimed by the Redskins, a move that shocked many other teams. Adam Schefter reported that one NFL coach, when asked by ESPN whether his team was the one that claimed Foster, texted back, “lol.” Another GM, when asked whether his team had made the claim, texted back, “No way!!!!”
In a radio interview Thursday, Redskins executive Doug Williams attempted to defend the decision, calling the arrest “small potatoes” when compared to crimes committed by people in positions of power. However, he subsequently apologized for those comments.