Reuben Foster explains failed drug test, gives update on injured shoulder

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TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — The shoulder is at “100 percent” and so is Reuben Foster’s confidence heading into Thursday night’s NFL Draft.

During an interview with ESPN on Tuesday morning, Foster was in good spirits, stating that he received an encouraging scan on his injured right shoulder Monday. Following the season, Foster underwent surgery to repair a torn rotator cuff in his right shoulder. The injury prevented him from participating in the NFL combine in March. However, the former Alabama linebacker says he’s ready to get back on the field.

“I’m 100 percent,” Foster said. “I feel like I can go out there again and just do something right now. I’ll be ready before like OTAs, limited, and training camp I’ll be full-go.”

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Foster is predicted to be a top-10 draft pick according to most analysts. In ESPN’s latest mock draft between Mel Kiper Jr. and Todd McShay, he was projected to be selected fifth to the Tennessee Titans.

However, a cloudy offseason has raised serious concerns about Foster’s character. The star linebacker was sent home from the NFL combine after getting into a heated argument with a hospital worker. Last week, he said he tested positive for a diluted urine sample while at the NFL combine.

Foster addressed both those issues Tuesday, stating he doesn’t feel either will affect his status heading into Thursday.

“Me and a lot of teams, we have discussed this,” Foster said. “As I go back from my college years, I never have failed a test at the University of Alabama. I’ve never had an off-the-field altercation, never got suspended. My character there, the diluted test, everybody has their opinions.”

When asked specifically about the failed drug test, Foster explained that he was sick the week prior to the combine which caused him to drink an excessive amount of water.

“Plus, I hear coaches saying you probably need to get your weight up, and I was like 224, 225 (pounds). So I’m drinking a lot of water, trying to get my weight up as well for the weigh in,” Foster said. “It just went from there, just me drinking water, trying to get this test done over with and get this weight accomplished to impress coaches. I got the diluted sample, and it’s just crazy.”

Foster’s explanation was similar to the one given by Michigan safety Jabrill Peppers, who also claimed he was sick before recording a diluted test at the combine.

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While critics have raised plenty of speculation on Foster’s maturity off the field, the linebacker said he has received nothing but support from Alabama head coach Nick Saban. During Alabama’s pro day, Saban spoke out about Foster’s character, stating the linebacker served as a leader during his time with the Crimson Tide. Foster was one of four players voted as a permanent captain by his teammates last season.

“If you're looking for a good teammate to be on your team, Reuben's going to be very, very good," Saban said. "If you're looking for somebody to be a candy striper and be nice to everybody at the hospital, maybe not.”

That unwavering support hasn’t been lost on Foster.

“I can say he’s been in my corner,” Foster said. “Like, that’s my dog. Coach Saban is one of a kind. He’s a man, he’ll build you as a man with his process and his program. He’ll teach you in a structural way, in a disciplined way,” Foster said. “But at the end of the day, you are going to thank him.”

Foster is one of three Alabama linebackers projected to be a high pick in the draft. Tim Williams and Ryan Anderson have also be mentioned in the first three rounds after tallying nine sacks apiece last season.

The trio of linebackers combined for 23 sacks, accounting for 43 percent of the Tide’s sack production last year. That production at linebacker has been nothing new for Alabama, which saw Reggie Ragland drafted in the second round last year and C.J. Mosley selected as a first-round pick in 2014.

This year, Alabama already appears to have reloaded at the linebacker position as Rashaan Evans, Keith Holcombe and Christian Miller registered two sacks apiece during the A-Day game on Saturday. Foster credited Alabama’s process for building linebackers and said he doesn’t expect any drop-off in the future.

“You’ve got top linebackers from year on at Alabama,” Foster said. “It’s not just going to one this year then the next year you’re going to suck. It’s just you learn from them and you pick their brains, and they put a lot on you. So, therefore, you have to have a leadership role in that defense. You have to be an alpha, you’ve got to be a dog, you’ve got to be a savage to maintain it. You’ll build a structure and a mentality that nobody knows. It’s crazy how like everything just comes in effect with Coach Saban’s program.”