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Five linebackers that could be signed in the wake of Reuben Foster’s injury

By Jacob Camenker

SEATTLE, WA - NOVEMBER 05: Inside linebacker Will Compton #51 of the Washington Redskins celebrates after interceping a pass during the third quarter of the game against the Seattle Seahawks at CenturyLink Field on November 5, 2017 in Seattle, Washington. The Redskins won 17-14. (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WA - NOVEMBER 05: Inside linebacker Will Compton #51 of the Washington Redskins celebrates after interceping a pass during the third quarter of the game against the Seattle Seahawks at CenturyLink Field on November 5, 2017 in Seattle, Washington. The Redskins won 17-14. (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images) /
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SANTA CLARA, CA – NOVEMBER 26: Quarterback Russell Wilson #3 of the Seattle Seahawks evades Reuben Foster #56 of the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium on November 26, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA – NOVEMBER 26: Quarterback Russell Wilson #3 of the Seattle Seahawks evades Reuben Foster #56 of the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium on November 26, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) /

The Washington Redskins have lost Reuben Foster for the 2019 season. They are now thin at linebacker as a result, and they may have to sign some players to provide depth.

Reuben Foster reportedly tore his ACL on the third play of the Redskins OTAs. He is almost certainly out for the 2019 season and he will be visiting specialists to determine the extent of the injury in the coming days.

This is brutal news for the Redskins. Foster was expected to be a piece that would help to transform their defense and make their front seven elite. Now, they are a bit thinner at linebacker and certainly are lacking three-down players.

The ‘Skins could look for linebacker help on the free agent market, but there really isn’t a player out there that can fully replace what Foster offers. He is a true three-down linebacker who is excellent in coverage but also can tackler. This late in the offseason, those players have all been snapped up.

The Redskins will probably have to use a committee approach at the position, employing run stoppers early (like Mason Foster) and coverage players in obvious passing situations (Josh Harvey-Clemons). Obviously, that’s hard to do, because teams can break tendencies are target specific personnel, but at this point, it’s the only thing they can do.

There are a handful of solid role players that could be added to at least help fill in for Foster. And in a committee approach, they could certainly have a chance to find success. Here’s a look at five options on the free agent market that could have a shot to upgrade their linebacker depth. And please note that only one of these players could really have a chance to start.

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