49ers easing Foster back into fold

The San Francisco 49ers are easing linebacker Reuben Foster back into the team after he was recently cleared of two felony domestic violence charges and a marijuana possession charge.

"He's in great shape," 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh said on Wednesday. "He could have went today. He could have went the first day he was allowed back. But, just like all the other guys, they've had a due process of phase one, phase two, going through the different phases of the offseason.

"So, we're just giving him a chance to get back into it. Don't rush him. There's no need. Hopefully we can get him back to practicing soon."

Foster still faces an illegal firearms misdemeanor charge, with the pre-trial date set for June 6, but the team is excited to have him back in the fold.

"We're all excited," Saleh said of Foster's return after a judge ruled there was no evidence that Foster ever hit his ex-girlfriend. "The whole organization matches his enthusiasm, and that's not just because of Reuben the player, but Reuben the person. For people who don't know him, and who don't have the privilege to know him, really don't understand what a great human being he actually is."

The second-year linebacker was injured for training camp last season, but he still racked up 72 tackles during the season. Saleh is hoping he can take the next step this season, but there is plenty of competition.

"It's a work in progress," Saleh said. "We've got a pretty good group of inside linebackers, so we're going to let it play out the way it needs to. They're all learning how to be communicators. We're setting it up to make sure that the two best linebackers are on the football field."