Rookie linebacker Reuben Foster has played 11 defensive snaps for the San Francisco 49ers. He's been out since Sept. 10 with a high ankle sprain. The former Alabama standout returned to practice this week, and the 49ers aren't sure if he'll play on Sunday, when they take on the Washington Redskins.
But on Friday, San Francisco cleared a spot for him in the lineup, returning Foster to middle linebacker by releasing NaVorro Bowman.
Bowman earned All-Pro recognition for the 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2015 seasons. But he missed the entire 2014 season because of a knee injury and played only four games in 2016 before a torn Achilles tendon sidelined him for the season.