NaVorro Bowman timeline uncertain

ByBILL WILLIAMSON
January 21, 2014, 5:26 PM

— -- SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- Jim Harbaugh has no doubt star inside linebacker NaVorro Bowman will regain his top-notch ability following rehab from a torn ACL in his left knee.

But the San Francisco 49ers coach has no idea when Bowman will return. Harbaugh said Tuesday that Bowman, one of the most dominant defensive players in the league, has a "grueling rehab" ahead of him.

According to Harbaugh, the Niners are not sure if Bowman, 25, tore his MCL as well, and physicians will have to wait two to three weeks to decide when to repair his ACL.

The team hopes that Bowman, who suffered the injury in Sunday's NFC Championship Game against the Seattle Seahawks, will be ready to play again by September, but Harbaugh said there is no way to tell at this point when he will return. Harbaugh did say, however, that the team expects Bowman to play in 2014.

"He's got healing ahead," Harbaugh said Tuesday. "He's got grueling rehab ahead. That is not the way that you would've wanted or foreseen his offseason to be after coming off what many have talked about -- and deservedly so -- of a defensive-player-of-the-year type of performance. Great year by NaVorro.

"Knowing what's inside of NaVorro Bowman, I have great faith in the human agency of NaVorro Bowman to continue to be great."

Bowman took to Twitter on Monday to thank his supporters:

Just wanna say Thank You for everyone's support it sucks not going to lie but I will get through this it's in Gods hands now.

— Navorro Bowman (@NBowman53) January 21, 2014

Harbaugh also confirmed that left guard Mike Iupati broke his fibula, running back Frank Gore broke his ring finger, and left tackle Joe Staley suffered a compound dislocation of his thumb during Sunday's 23-17 loss.

None of those injuries are expected to affect the players' 2014 season.

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Just wanna say Thank You for everyone's support it sucks not going to lie but I will get through this it's in Gods hands now.

— Navorro Bowman (@NBowman53) January 21, 2014

Harbaugh also confirmed that left guard Mike Iupati broke his fibula, running back Frank Gore broke his ring finger, and left tackle Joe Staley suffered a compound dislocation of his thumb during Sunday's 23-17 loss.

None of those injuries are expected to affect the players' 2014 season.

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