How badly does Reuben Foster want to play on Sunday against the Washington Redskins? Here's how the San Francisco 49ers rookie linebacker put it on Thursday.
"I hope the doctors clear me," Foster said. "I hope they see a child who wants some candy. I want some candy. Give me some candy."
I'd expect the 49ers to give Foster some candy in Week 6. Just how much playing time he'll see in his return remains the million-dollar question. The linebacker is listed as questionable to play against the Redskins, which means that if he plays, it will likely be under a "pitch count".
Foster has been sidelined since suffering a high-ankle sprain in Week 1 against the Carolina Panthers. It took just 11 plays for the linebacker to post three tackles and a PBU that was nearly a pick-six.
The 49ers played it incredibly safe with their prized first-round pick. Foster has been out of a boot for a few weeks now, but San Francisco was in no rush to get him back on the field. Foster spent this week limited in practice, but according to him, he's feeling 100 percent.
"The ankle feels great," Foster said. "I felt like I could have gone more, just to get more reps to get my mind back on football rather than treatment and trying to feel better.
"I just listen to the doctors. They tell me how far I can go and what percentage I can go."
Foster spent four agonizing weeks watching from the sideline, seeing his team fall on the wrong side of four straight nail-biters. He could very well be the tipping point that gets San Francisco in the win column.
"It's so hard because you want to be out there doing something," Foster said. "It's the sport that I love, and I'm anxious to be out there."
Foster isn't the only 49ers defender returning the action. Eric Reid should be back from a knee injury that kept him out two weeks. Like Foster, Reid is also listed as questionable. San Francisco will be without Kyle Juszczyk, who is out with a back injury.
The Redskins have some notable injuries as well. Starting running back Rob Kelley (ankle) is listed as doubtful, and star cornerback Josh Norman (broken ribs) has already been ruled out. Washington will likely get stud left tackle Trent Williams (knee) back in the lineup. He's listed as questionable.
We will find out for sure who's in and who's out 90 minutes prior to kickoff when teams announce their official list of inactives.
