Former San Francisco 49ers LB says he’s ‘grateful for every opportunity’ after Miami Dolphins workout

In the wake of Jerome Baker’s injury, former San Francisco 49ers linebacker Reuben Foster had a workout scheduled with the Miami Dolphins for Wednesday, but he appeared to announce on Instagram that the team has passed on signing him.

Baker, one of Miami’s starting linebackers, suffered a knee injury in the team’s victory over the Washington Commanders back on Dec. 3.

Foster hasn’t taken the field for an NFL team in quite some time. He last played for the 49ers — who selected him with the No. 31 overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft — all the way back in the 2018 season. In six regular-season appearances with San Francisco, he totaled two quarterback hits, three tackles for loss, four assists on tackles, 25 solo tackles and 29 combined tackles.

The 29-year-old put up even better numbers during his rookie season, the 2017 season. Foster accumulated 72 combined tackles, 13 assists on tackles, 59 solo tackles, seven tackles for loss and five quarterback hits. Plus, he finished third in the NFL AP Defensive Rookie of the Year voting that season, behind only Tre’Davious White of the Buffalo Bills and Marshon Lattimore of the New Orleans Saints.

Miami’s win over the Commanders gave the team its ninth victory of the 2023 regular season so far. At 9-3, the Dolphins now own a comfortable lead over the 6-6 Bills for the best record in the AFC East.

Not only that, but the Dolphins are tied with the Baltimore Ravens for the top record in the entire AFC. The Ravens — who are led by star quarterback Lamar Jackson — are riding a two-game winning streak and own a 4-2 home record and 5-1 road record.

It was a classy move by Foster to thank the Dolphins on social media for giving him an opportunity despite the team seemingly opting not to sign him. It’s very possible that Miami will continue to look for a linebacker to add to the team in the coming days, considering Baker is dealing with the knee injury.

Miami’s next game is on Dec. 11 at home against the Tennessee Titans.