49ers News: LB NaVorro Bowman Cleared To Practice Next Week, 2014 Return Still Possible?

On Friday morning, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported that there is a chance that San Francisco 49ers linebacker NaVorro Bowman will not return during the 2014 NFL season due to knee injuries suffered last season:

There’s a “real possibility” 49ers LB NaVorro Bowman will not play this season due to torn ACL and MCL he suffered last season, per source.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 14, 2014

However, there may very well be hope yet.

Per Rand Getlin of Yahoo! Sports, Bowman plans to return to practice next week:

#49ers LB NaVorro Bowman has been cleared to practice next week and will return at that time, per a league source. — Rand Getlin (@Rand_Getlin) November 16, 2014

If Bowman indeed gets back on the practice field next week, the team will have three weeks to decide whether or not he is well enough to bring back to the active roster for the stretch run.

While it still a 2014 season return is likely still up in the air, there is caused for renewed optimism around the locker rooms at Levi's Stadium in regards to Bowman's injury status.

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