49ers LB Bowman tears ACL in loss

Associated Press

SANTA CLARA, Calif.

NaVorro Bowman tore the anterior cruciate and medial collateral ligaments in his left knee when he went down during Sunday’s NFC championship loss at Seattle, a person with direct knowledge of the injury said Monday.

The person said that Bowman would have surgery for the ACL tear but that the MCL is likely to heal with rest and he is expected to be ready for the 2014 season.

“It’s not as bad as feared,” the person said, speaking on condition of anonymity to The Associated Press because the team hadn’t made an announcement regarding the results of tests on Bowman’s knee.

Coach Jim Harbaugh said after Sunday’s 23-17 season-ending loss to the Seahawks that Bowman was believed to have torn his ACL, and Harbaugh wasn’t to address the media again until today. Kansas City’s Derrick Johnson was chosen Monday to replace Bowman in the Pro Bowl.

49ers linebackers coach Jim Leavitt remained optimistic earlier Monday that Bowman would be playing when the 49ers open new Levi’s Stadium next season.

“He’s a warrior. He’s going to push forward, there’s no question,” Leavitt said. “He’s a special guy, tremendously talented, but he’s got such a heart. He’s been so good with me it’s unbelievable. He’s great young man. He’ll be fine. We’re going into a new stadium and he’ll be ready to go when we start.”

In addition, left guard Mike Iupati broke his left ankle in the loss. He says he doesn’t know whether he will need surgery, but is scheduled to be further evaluated today.

“This is a bad-luck year,” said Iupati, who missed four games with a left knee injury. “I’ll probably be in a cast for a while. I’ll be here rehabbing. It’s day by day and wish for the best.”

As the 49ers braced for Bowman’s lengthy recovery, they were still dealing with the sting of another season that ended just short of the goal.

Safety Donte Whitner was irked at any Seattle fans involved with throwing popcorn and other debris on Bowman as he was carted off at CenturyLink Field.

“That’s pure ignorance,” said Whitner, who noted losing to the rival Seahawks “makes it a little worse ’cuz I wanted to send those fans home crying.”

And how about the postgame comments by cornerback Richard Sherman calling 49ers wideout Michael Crabtree “mediocre” and “sorry” following his game-saving defensive play in the end zone during the waning moments?

“Pure ignorance, simple as that,” Whitner said.