ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that there is a “real possibility” that 49ers LB NaVorro Bowman will not play at all this season due to the torn ACL and MCL he suffered last season.
This news comes just days after San Francisco placed ILB Patrick Willis on season-ending injured reserve with a toe injury.
49ers DC Vic Fangio recently mentioned that Bowman wasn’t close to returning from the major knee injury he suffered several months ago.
“Oh, I think at some point he will play,” Fangio said on the Murph & Mac show, via the Sacramento Bee. “But right now it’s still later than sooner. His procedure was done in February. It’s not like he got hurt in the middle of the season last year.”
The 49ers have actually held up pretty well without Bowman in the lineup as Michael Wilhoite and rookie Chris Borland have as stepped in and produced.
Bowman, 25, signed a seven-year, $46.37 million contract that included $25.5 million guaranteed back in 2012. However, he recently converted $3.27 million of his $4 million base salary into a signing bonus.
When healthy, Bowman has proven to be one of the best linebackers in the league. In 2013, he totaled 145 tackles, five sacks, two interceptions, four forced fumbles and two recoveries for the 49ers. Pro Football Focus has him rated as the No. 1 overall inside linebacker last season.
We’ll have more updates as the news is available.
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