Reuben Foster suspended two games for violating NFL's Conduct and Substance of Abuse policies

49ers linebacker Reuben Foster is one of the biggest NFL preseason winners of 2017

The San Francisco 49ers will be without linebacker Reuben Foster the first two games of the 2018 season, as the NFL levied a two-game ban.

Foster is being suspended for violating the NFL’s Conduct and Substances of Abuse policies.

The 49ers announced the news on Tuesday.

General manager John Lynch issued a statement, saying, “Our organization understands and supports the League’s decision. Although we are disappointed that Reuben will not be with our team for the first two games of the season, we will continue to work with him on making better decisions and eliminating unnecessary distractions. We are encouraged to see Reuben take responsibility for his mistakes, and hopeful that he has learned from them as well.”

Foster himself took responsibility for his actions: “I accept the League’s decision and am sorry that my mistakes have hurt my team. I have a responsibility to the 49ers, our fans and our community, and I am committed to learning from this situation and making better choices in the future. The support I have received over the last five months has been humbling, and I do not take it for granted.”

He was arrested earlier this year for possessing marijuana while visiting Alabama. That case was ultimately dismissed, but the NFL doesn’t require legal action to take its own in matters like this.

Then Foster was also found to have an illegal firearm in his possession during a police visit, which stemmed from the since-resolved incident with his ex-girlfriend, who lied about him abusing her.

Foster will be eligible to return to action in on September 17, the day after the team takes on the Detroit Lions in Week 2.