The Washington Redskins have reportedly declined their fifth-year option on former first-round pick Reuben Foster, according to Les Carpenter of the Washington Post.

Foster missed the entirety of the 2019 season as he recovered from a torn LCL and ACL, and it remains to be seen whether he will be ready for Week 1. As Josh Alper of Pro Football Talk points out:

“The option for 2021 would have been guaranteed in case of injury, which is a concern as Foster is coming off a serious knee injury.”

This is the sensible move for the Redskins, given Foster's off-field history as well as his most recent injury.

Foster had a decent rookie campaign with the San Francisco 49ers, but he was cut in November of 2018 following his arrest on misdemeanor domestic violence charges. The Redskins claimed him off waivers, but he missed the remainder of 2018 and ripped up his knee on the first day of practice last May.

The 26-year-old had been arguably the best linebacker in the country at Alabama in 2016, winning the Dick Butkus Award and having a massive game in the College Football Playoff Championship Game against Clemson.

San Francisco took Foster at the end of the first round with the hope he might be the replacement to Patrick Willis, who retired in 2014. Of course, things did not pan out that way.

Foster might still make an impact as a depth piece for Washington, though they already have a tremendous front seven.

In any case, he will be a free agent after the 2020 season.