Reuben Foster medical re-check shows shoulder still not healed

Alabama linebacker Reuben Foster is the near-unanimous best linebacker in the 2017 NFL Draft and a popular mock draft choice for the Cincinnati Bengals.

He recently went through an NFL Scouting Combine medical re-check after he was removed from the Combine due to an altercation with a medical staff employee. Foster had rotator cuff surgery in February and was going to be unable to participate in Combine drills because of it... before he was kicked out of the event.

Unfortunately, his re-check didn’t come with good news. On today’s episode of NFL Insiders, ESPN’s cast of commentators and analysts discuss that Foster’s rotator cuff is not healed following February sugery and that he could still need a second surgery to fully heal his shoulder.

Foster already was a questionable pick for the Bengals in the first round as there will likely be better players on the board who can have a more immediate and larger impact in joining the Bengals' roster.

Last year, the Buffalo Bills spent the No. 19 overall pick in the draft on Clemson defensive end Shaq Lawson. He ended up needing shoulder surgery after having his shoulder flagged at the Scouting Combine as well. He didn't believe he needed surgery at the time, but, that proved not to be the reality. He ended up starting the season on the Physically Unable to Perform list and joined the roster for Week 7 of the season. He went on to play 10 games with 1 start and totaled 7 tackles, 2.0 sacks and 1 pass defended in 2016, his rookie season.

Here’s one take on Foster from draft expert Joe Goodberry, following this news:

Does this change your stance on Foster as a prospect for the Bengals and a candidate for the No. 9 overall pick? The uncertainty of his ability to make an impact in 2017 should be something the Bengals are very much considering — if Foster is in fact in play for the team’s first round pick.