Reuben Foster's NFL Draft Slide Reportedly Due to Shoulder Injury

The San Francisco 49ers selected Alabama linebacker Reuben Foster with the 31st overall pick in the 2017 NFL draft last week to stop an extended slide that was reportedly due to concerns about shoulder problems.

On Wednesday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reported sources said the condition "worried teams and could jeopardize his rookie season." It even caused some front offices to remove him from their draft board.

ESPN's Adam Caplan reported in February the linebacker underwent surgery on his right rotator cuff, which caused him to miss the drills at the 2017 NFL Scouting Combine.

Schefter noted a source close to the situation predicted Foster won't make it through his rookie campaign healthy because his "shoulder could give out on any hit." Another source explained the problem is linked to the earlier surgery, which didn't work.

"The surgery didn't take," the source said.

Those concerns help provide background information about how a playmaking linebacker, who was projected inside the top 10 for much of the draft process, almost fell out of Round 1.

Chris Biderman of NinersWire noted Foster called any reports of his needing another surgery, "not accurate at all." He provided his own outlook for the recovery timetable.

"I'm making big progress," Foster said last week. "I'll be limited in OTAs. Training camp I'll be a full go. But, if it's my decision, I think I can go now."

For now, Foster is expected to compete for a starting job right out of the gate, though exactly where he'll land depends on how the Niners reshape the defense under new coordinator Robert Saleh. The rookie's position will depend on where star linebacker NaVorro Bowman slots in.

If the Alabama product lives up to expectations created based on his play with the Crimson Tide, the Niners will have gotten a major steal at the end of Round 1. But the shoulder issues will now remain firmly on the radar throughout his first NFL season.